Siya Kolisi himself recognizes this. “Honestly, it was all the hard work that paid off. Today, it was really ugly, but you also have to go through that to be champions,” says the flanker and captain of the Springboks. His team was swept away for a long time by the incessant footwork of the English, but they managed to escape from the trap set at the Stade de France (16-15). And she will defend her title next Saturday against New Zealand.
“England were excellent in the kicking game, they dominated us in that area. We were terribly lacking in discipline in the first half, particularly in key areas where they could take points, admits the future Racing 92 player. But, in the second half, we managed to come back to the strength of the team. wrist. We showed who we are and what we are capable of doing at 23.”
Once again, the Springbok bench made the difference. With the decisive entries of Handré Pollard, who made a conversion and two penalties including the one to win, and RG Snyman, who scored the try (the only one of the match) which revived his team. “We needed energy, so we decided to bring in the substitutes. We are lucky to have a group where there is not much difference between starters and substitutes. We needed energy and they gave it to us,” greets coach Jacques Nienaber. And to clarify: “When we put together our bench, people focus on the number of forwards but the important thing is the group and its quality. If they enter the field, it is because the holders have laid the foundations for the match. We can never estimate the impact of the starters but they tire the opponent. We don’t have an A team or a B team. We don’t work like that. »
And Handré Pollard, who entered the game in the 31st minute after a disappointing Manie Libbok, finally crucified the last hopes of the English. At the last minute, his team took the lead for the first time in the match. “I had no doubt, I knew he would pass it as he did in the past,” underlines Siya Kolisi. Recalling that it was thanks to its first line and a victorious scrum that the Boks were able to win. “It’s a victory for a whole group. Most players would have given up but not us, he insists. When we win, all of South Africa wins. This melee is the victory of Vincent (Koch), Ox (Nche), Bongi (Mbonambi). When Handré (Pollard) passed this penalty, it was a real relief for this whole group. »
Jostled, the South Africans never doubted, to hear them. “I wouldn’t say we struggled,” says prop Steven Kitshoff. England had a clear game plan and executed it perfectly. They put us under pressure and we had difficulty getting the receptions out. Fortunately, our substitutes did the job in the second half. On penalties, they made us gain a lot of meters and that’s how we won the match.” And scrum half Cobus Reinach added: “We knew the game plan, it’s a team that plays a lot on foot, they planned their tactics perfectly but we found the solutions. Everyone knows we like the physical side of the game, they prepared for it and we expected it.”
Rassie Erasmus, master tactician, and the Springboks staff who were almost surprised by the XV de la Rose, will have only six players to prepare for the final against the historic New Zealand rival. Coach Jacques Nienaber takes it with humor: “We will have to work to improve. Especially if New Zealand decides to use the same tactics…” Not the type of All Blacks, indeed. We should be less bored next Saturday.
