Concerned head coach Rassie Erasmus said "the optics weren't great" after giant Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth was sent off after an apparent eye-gouging incident overshadowed South Africa's 73-0 thumping of Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Though the rampant Boks completed a clean sweep on their European tour by blitzing Wales, Etzebeth's seemingly late moment of madness cast a gloomy pall over what should have been a night of unbridled celebration.
The 34-year-old Bok centurion was shown a red card for making contact with the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann during a heated 79th-minute scuffle.
"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," Erasmus said.
"How it happened and why it happened and if he was provoked, I am not sure, but it's definitely not the way we would have liked to end the game.
"I don't think the optics were great."
Etzebeth, who was playing his 141st game in the green and gold in Cardiff, looks certain to be given a lengthy ban.
Kolisi said he did not want the incident to detract from his team's spectacular win over an outgunned Welsh outfit.
"I'm sure he [Etzebeth] didn't mean to do that on purpose. There's no way," Kolisi said. "If you go for an eye gouge, you know what happens after that [a lengthy ban].
I'm very proud of the way we played. We never underestimated Wales, regardless of where they were in the world rankings, and their team as well, in general.
-- Rassie Erasmus
"Eben's said sorry to the guy already. But I don't want that to be the highlight of the day. It's been a good day."
Erasmus lauded his team for what he called a "clinical performance".
"I'm very proud of the way we played," the coach said. "We never underestimated Wales, regardless of where they were in the world rankings, and their team as well, in general.
"I think Asenathi [Ntlabakanye] made the last turnover, and we are so glad guys like him, Zac [Porthen] and many others who haven't played for us in a while. Their hunger showed today, and it was important for us to fight until the end.
"We delivered a controlled performance and we don't have guys who just roll over. They take the shots and tonight I thought it was one of the more clinical performances.
"We put our soul into the game, as opposed to trying to focus on their soul, because the Welsh are a very controlled team. That said, we know it can change in one game."