Star Metro - Erasmus hails Springboks' 'proper performance' after Wales thrashing

"It was a really good, controlled performance," Erasmus said of the one-sided, 11-try mauling at the Principality Stadium.

"It was probably one of the more really clinical performances. We've been building up.

"We're very proud of the way we played. We never underestimate Wales ever, no matter where they are in the rankings and what's going on in their team."

Erasmus also had no disagreements with the late red card that French referee Luc Ramos showed to Eben Etzebeth for an eye gouge on Alex Mann.

"It didn't look good, it justified a red card," he said. "It was definitely not the way we'd have liked to have ended the game."

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu racked up 28 points as the Boks totally overpowered a depleted Wales team from the first whistle in a game that fell outside of the international Test window, meaning both sides were missing a host of usual starters.

Erasmus, who has overseen back-to-back World Cup wins for the Boks, has used 49 players this year, with 12 victories in 14 Tests.

The strength and depth in South African rugby was obvious to see as Welsh shortcomings were brutally exposed by a hard-nosed team led from the front by impressive centre Andre Esterhuizen.

- 'Things change' -

Erasmus was a member of the Springbok team that beat Wales 96-13 in Pretoria in 1998, but also the team that were beaten twice by the Welsh a year later.

"Things change!" he said, with words of encouragement for Welsh counterpart Steve Tandy amid considerable off-field issues that will likely see one of the four Welsh regions being cut as part of a financially-driven measure by the Welsh Rugby Union.

"A year in rugby is a very short time. Eventually somewhere they'll be there. They lost 15 players, not just for one match, but all of a sudden from the mix," he said in reference to a raft of senior players who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"They've got a great coach and they will come back.

"In 2016 we were nowhere and in 2019 we won the World Cup. Anything's possible," Erasmus added.

Tandy said the scoreboard was "disappointing".

Not only was it a record home defeat, but it was also the first time Wales have remained pointless in Cardiff since a 3-0 loss to Ireland in 1967. They also lost what was technically a home game against France at Wembley in 1998, 51-0.

"We've been up against a world class team who dominated thoroughly. It's the learnings of how far we need to grow," Tandy said.

"It can't take away from the buildings of the first three games. We need Test matches."

Tandy added: "It's always hard to watch when it's hard to get any grip of the game.

"The penalty count goes against you and it's hard to get a grip. The margin, it stings. It's really raw for the group. It's not for the want of trying."

Tandy insisted that he did not think it had been one game too far.

"We need Test matches," he said. "It's a young, inexperienced group, but it's a chance to get out there. There are certain things we can take out of the game. We need to create depth."

S.Cloutier--SMC