By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Springboks completed an autumn clean sweep by going on the rampage in Cardiff to score 11 tries in a 73-0 win against under strength Wales.
But almost the final act of the international year was legendary lock Eben Etzebeth, who went over for the final score, being dismissed by referee Luc Ramos.
The 34-year-old was shown a red card for making contact with the left eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann with his thumb in a 79th-minute scuffle.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted “the optics weren’t great” after Etzebeth was sent off for an eye gouge against Wales.
“I don’t know what I can say that won’t be controversial. It didn’t look good and it was a justified red card,” said Erasmus.
“How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, I am not sure, but it’s definitely not the way that we would have liked to end the game. I don’t think that the optics were great.”
Etzebeth, who extended his Springboks record when winning a 141st cap in Cardiff, looks certain to be given a lengthy ban.
World Rugby laws state that gouging bans range from 12 weeks for acts of foul play at the low end to a maximum of 208 weeks for intentional gouging, while bans for reckless contact with the eyes can range from six to 208 weeks depending on the severity of the act.
The giant lock’s Sharks team start their Champions Cup campaign at Toulouse on Sunday, 7 December before a home game against Saracens and South African derbies over the festive period.