Wales vs South Africa live: Dominant Springboks run rampant but Etzebeth sent off for eye gouge
Wales 0-73 South Africa: The Springboks ran in 11 tries before an ugly incident involving Etzebeth
The Springboks ran rampant to deal Wales a record defeat in Cardiff — but South Africa’s 73-0 victory was marred by Eben Etzebeth’s sending off for eye-gouging late on.
A tough year for the hosts ended with a predictably one-sided thrashing as Steve Tandy’s underhanded side were brushed aside by the world champions. Tandy had been unable to pick any of his foreign-based players with this fixture falling outside of World Rugby’s Test window, and the Springboks, missing several stars themselves, took advantage. There were 11 tries in all, with a fearsome forward pack in total control, allowing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Andre Esterhuizen particularly to impress behind the scrum as Wales suffered a heaviest ever defeat at home.
But what should have been a happy end to a year in which South Africa have separated themselves from the rest was spoiled as Etzebeth directed a thumb into the eye of Alex Mann, the Wales flanker. Referee Luc Ramos rightly showed the veteran lock a straight red card, and a long ban surely beckons.
Follow all of the latest from the Principality Stadium with our live blog below:
How many games could Eben Etzebeth miss after red card?
That really wasn’t good at all from Eben Etzebeth.
How many games could Eben Etzebeth miss after red card for eye gouge?
South Africa inflict record home defeat on Wales but ugly Eben Etzebeth eye gouge mars win
Wales suffered a record 73-0 thumping to South Africa as Welsh rugby ended a miserable year with further humiliation in Cardiff.
Steve Tandy's under-strength side simply had no answer to the Springboks' power game that produced 11 tries at Principality Stadium and Wales' heaviest-ever defeat on home soil.
There was an unsavoury end to the contest as replacement Eben Etzebeth was red-carded for gouging Alex Mann's eye.
South Africa deal Wales record home defeat but ugly Eben Etzebeth eye gouge mars win
Wales scrum half Kieran Hardy speaks to S4C
"The boys are disappointed and we thought we started well, but ultimately the South Africans showed their class.
"We just didn’t stay in the game, every opportunity we didn’t take.
"That was a tough game. There’s a lot of us that haven’t played and we’re very disappointed with that."
Andre Esterhuizen speaks to TNT Sports
“Obviously a very tough game to end the tour on. it’s been five long weeks and we are very happy with this win. A clean sweep for this tour, we’ve worked very hard for it and happy we’ve got the rewards.
“Whatever team we pick each week, everyone knows their role and steps up. Everyone trusts each other, and who ever steps in plays well, and we play together.
“When you come to Wales, you expect a team that never gives up. We knew we had to dig deep for this one.”
FULL TIME: Wales 0-73 South Africa
A frosty handshake between Eben Etzebeth and Alex Mann, who directs a few words in the direction of the Springboks lock. Understandably, you’d say.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 80 minutes
The Springboks survive the last offensive. They have dealt Wales, perhaps predictably, a record defeat at home.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
Wales miss touch with the penalty.
What a peculiar action from Eben Etzebeth. There is never any excuse for that sort of behaviour, but at 73-0 up in a game like this? Truly extraordinary.
South Africa are offside soon after that missed touch. Callum Sheedy makes amends as Wales seek to finish a tough afternoon with a flourish.
RED CARD! Eben Etzebeth is sent off! Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
That’s horrible. A thumb pressed into the eye of Alex Mann by Eben Etzebeth, who is rightly given his marching orders. A straight red card.
Ugly from Etzebeth. A long ban may well beckon.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
A fight! One would suggest that such a skirmish is needless at this juncture, but they are properly going at it, Eben Etzebeth perhaps a foolish individual for Alex Mann to take on. The combative Wales flanker won’t leave it alone; young Zachary Porthen plays the peace-maker.
Wales aren’t at all happy with something. Mann and Etzebeth are called into the headmaster’s office - now now, was there a gouge from the Springboks lock? This looks very, very ugly indeed...
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