“Ugly” rugby champions
South Africa thwarts England’s perfect plan
October 22, 2023, 2:50 p.m
One point decides the Rugby World Cup semi-final between South Africa and England. There are two teams in the final that you wouldn’t necessarily have expected to be there this time. Ultimately, a physically impressive final phase was enough for South Africa in the semi-finals.
President Cyril Ramaphosa dared to do a little dance in the official gallery, South Africa’s rugby stars fell into each other’s arms, exhausted and relieved after their next minimal victory. It was only two and a half minutes before the end of a memorable World Cup semi-final that the Springboks had thwarted England’s previously perfect match plan and taken the lead for the first time. Handré Pollard’s penalty to make it 16:15 was enough for the defending champions to reach the final again on that rainy evening in Paris. New Zealand is waiting there next Saturday.
“All the hard work paid off. It was really ugly, but that’s what champions are made of,” said South Africa captain Siya Kolisi. “England were written off before the World Cup, but they showed us how good they are. Kudos to England, but also to my team. It was just as ugly as last week, but we found a way and fought our way back.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated both the Springboks and the cricket team that beat England on the same day: “Our national teams inspire people around the world and make us incredibly proud.”
As in the quarter-finals against France, a physically impressive final phase and the minimal lead of one point were enough for South Africa to win. “Does this remind you of something painful? Us too and that’s normal,” wrote L’Équipe to the English fans. Like hosts France the week before, England had the better plan. South Africa were kept out of the end zone and scored thanks to captain Owen Farrell. The connector with brilliant feeling in his feet had a top evening and scored all the points.
“We shocked them in some moments”
Which at the end of the new edition of the 2019 final was still not enough. “We had a plan and the weather suited it. We shocked them in some moments,” said Farrell. “But they adapted to it and in the end you just have to have respect for it.” South Africa’s magic foot Pollard was happy after his match winner: “It was a big moment. It’s exactly those moments that you want to have on the big stage. At the moment there’s mostly relief.”
The final of the record world champions against the three-time champion New Zealand is not necessarily what was expected before the World Cup. South Africa’s selection was considered too old and outdated in style and the famous All Blacks had been far from their former glory in the past two years. Instead, Ireland and France, the world number one and the spectacularly playing hosts, were considered the favorites.
None of the favorites reached the semi-finals. In the second duel, New Zealand had no problems with Argentina and is back in the final for the first time since their triumph in 2015. A performance that the All Blacks were not capable of at home. Coach Ian Foster was on the verge of sacking after losing six of eight friendly matches between November 2021 and August 2022. The 58-year-old kept his job, but only temporarily. He will retire after the World Cup – preferably as world champion.