Rugby World Cup: South Africa snatches victory against England and reaches the final

South Africa offered itself the right to defend its title and become the first selection to sew a fourth star on its jersey. Behind on the scoreboard throughout the match, the Springboks snatched victory in the final moments against England at the Stade de France thanks to a final penalty from Handre Pollard (15-16). Jacques Nienaber’s men, who defeated the Blues in the quarter-final, will challenge New Zealand in the final next Saturday in Saint-Denis.

It’s over in Paris! What a game, we go again next week in the #RWC2023 final. Thanks for an amazing contest @EnglandRugby#StrongerTogether#Springboks#RWC2023#RSAvENGpic.twitter.com/OZBNeo8rU3

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 21, 2023

Unconvincing Boks

But, before hoping to lift the Webb-Ellis trophy again, on October 28, they had to pass a real personality test against a surprising and rediscovered England team. Because, against the Boks, the Rose stung from the start and hard: first with four penalties (3rd, 10th, 24th, 40th) and a drop (53rd) from Owen Farrell but above all by taking the Springboks to their own game, in scrum (2 won) as well as in touch (4 touches lost).

Rassie Eramus’ men, who had nevertheless eliminated the French (29-28) with their heads held high, in fact missed their meeting. In the Dyonisian rain, the Boks experienced an extremely complicated match, like their hooker Bongi Mbonambi in touch (two throws not straight, one blocked) or their opener Manie Libbok, released after 31 minutes. By responding to the South African physical impact and playing – a lot – on the foot, while relying on a steel defense, the English played with their weapons. And it almost worked!

Snyman’s saving essay

For seventy minutes, the Boks seemed incapable of responding to the problem posed by England. Until the saving try of the second line RG Snyman (69th), in short. Thanks to a stifling last ten minutes and the decisive penalty from Handré Pollard (78th) at the very end of the match, the South Africans, trailing throughout the game, but qualified with forceps, overturned their opponents to go looking for a fourth planetary finale.

They will therefore find the legendary All Blacks, whom they have not beaten in a World Cup since 1999 and the match for third place (22-18) of the Welsh edition. Rassie Eramus and Jacques Nienaber, the brains of this courageous and experienced South African team, now have a week to rectify the situation after a match where nothing seemed to go their way. Until the 78th minute.