Etzebeth Red Card vs Wales Justified, SA Coach Says
Rassie Erasmus says Eben Etzebeth's eye-gouging red card looked bad but was justified after South Africa's 73-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.
South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the incident's optics weren’t ideal after Eben Etzebeth received a red card for an eye gouge during the Cardiff clash with Wales.
The Springboks dominated the match, racking up 11 tries in a 73-0 rout that sealed a commanding autumn campaign.
Etzebeth, 34, was dismissed in the 79th minute following a clash in which he appeared to make contact with Wales flanker Alex Mann’s eye using his thumb.
"I don’t want to be controversial, but the red card was justified and the visuals weren’t great," Erasmus said. "Why it happened and whether he was provoked aren’t clear, but this isn’t how we wanted the game to finish."
The lock extended his Springboks record to 141 caps, and now faces a likely lengthy ban under World Rugby rules, which set a wide range for gouging penalties—from 12 weeks up to 208 weeks, depending on intent and severity. Reckless eye contact can also carry substantial suspensions.
Meanwhile, Etzebeth’s Sharks team begin their Champions Cup campaign with a trip to Toulouse on Sunday, December 7, followed by a home fixture against Saracens and a string of South African derbies around the festive period.
Springboks’ measured performance
The world champions overloaded Wales in a one-sided affair that was decided long before the red card. Wales, under Steve Tandy, have endured a tough autumn with several heavy defeats, and Erasmus stressed that his side balanced power with discipline, even as the game’s closing moments soured the moment.
"The Welsh are not the type to roll over; they fight until the final whistle. This was a clinical display from us and a reminder of how far we’ve come as a team," he added.
South Africa ends the year ranked number one after back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, but Erasmus reflected on their climb from lower rankings a few years ago and urged patience for the journey ahead.
Expert commentary
Expert comment: Rugby analysts say the Etzebeth incident highlights the ongoing importance of discipline for even the most dominant teams. It will fuel discussions on referee decisions and post-match sanctions as the sport enforces player safety.
Summary
South Africa delivered a dominant performance in Cardiff with an emphatic win over Wales, but Eben Etzebeth’s late red card cast a shadow over the result. Erasmus defended the red card as justified, noting that optics mattered even in victory. The incident is likely to trigger a significant suspension, influencing Etzebeth’s club duties, while the Springboks remain the world’s top team to close the year.
Key insight: Even in a record-breaking win, discipline remains crucial and a single red card can redefine the story. BBC Sport