FAVORITES
Lovers of the beautiful game will come back. But, in this stifling standoff, the XV de la Rose put on a huge match, with a lot of self-sacrifice and heart, to make the reigning world champions doubt until the end. The game plan was simple and restrictive – excessive kicking – but the English executed it wonderfully. And they came very close to the feat. A small tour de force for this English team which was completely in a rut before arriving in France. “We had developed a plan during the week and the weather conditions also played a role,” said flyhalf and captain Owen Farrell. We started the match very well, we shook them at times and they had to make substitutions to change what they were doing.” In the end, the XV de la Rose will have succeeded in their World Cup, while no one believed in them until recently. “Our opponents had four years to prepare, we four months. That’s why we really have to congratulate the players,” greets coach Steve Borthwick. The renaissance has begun for the only European nation present in the last four. To be confirmed during the next Six Nations Tournament.
Great players are there in big matches. Handré Pollard, who entered in the 31st minute in place of a disappointing Manie Libbok, confirmed the adage this Saturday by donning the costume of the savior at the Stade de France. Offering qualification to the Boks with a penalty of more than 45 meters. Previously, he had not trembled against the poles, passing a first penalty then a transformation. A nice revenge for the former Montpellier opening half, French champion in 2022, who only joined the South African group during the competition. He who hadn’t played for ten months with the Boks. “It was difficult and frustrating. It was a calf injury that should have only lasted four weeks, but ended up lasting almost three months. It was a very frustrating time, but that’s the body, that’s how it works,” he said when he was recalled. In this breathtaking finish, the 2019 world champion confirmed that he is a world-class player. The Springboks will really need him, and his composure, against the All Blacks next Saturday.
For the quarter-final against Fiji, his ouster was surprising. Since his international debut in 2021, the young Leicester Tigers fullback (22 years old) had started 29 of the 30 matches played by England. For this semi-final, Freddie Steward regained his place in the starting XV. And in weather worthy of the north of England – gusts of wind and incessant rain – he amply justified his return. He responded under pressure from the Springboks, making no handball mistakes… until the 77th minute. Fateful. Forward, scrum dominated by the South African forwards, penalty and the 3 points of victory bothered by the imperturbable Pollard. Cruel for the last English rampart. Who also worked to restart a few balls for 38 meters gained, certainly, but four defenders beaten. Not an easy task in such a locked meeting.
CLAW STRIKES
How complicated it was for the shadow men of the English pack. Four closed scrums, introduction XV of the Rose, sanctioned. Two penalties against Joe Marler, another against Kyle Sinckler, who entered the game. The one which gave the Springboks victory. The hookers were not to be outdone: a penalty against Jamie George and two for his replacement Ellis Genge. A Jamie George who also lost three throws in touch, including one on a bell ball with the original trajectory… In short, an ordeal in conquest for the subjects of his Gracious Majesty. Asked about these failures, Steve Borthwick confirmed the difficulty. “The South Africans found a way to gain the upper hand in the scrum and through that they occupied the field and scored points.” Opinion shared by captain and third row Courtney Lawes. “I think it was their conquest that allowed them to win. They are strong in this area. In the front row until his exit, scrum-half Alex Mitchell also recognizes that “the scrum is one of the things that worked to the Boks’ advantage. It’s frustrating, but that’s how it is….”
It is certain that it was not a match with great flights, where the wingers and the back of the Springboks, usually dynamic and twirling, were going to be able to let their offensive qualities express themselves. But, in this locked semi-final, the South African back triangle showed a lot of excitement. Small errors, hand faults while the pressure exerted by the English was enormous. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, on the wings, were thus made mistakes several times. And fullback Damian Willemse, usually so sharp in his restarts, tried nothing at the Stade de France. The staff even decided to replace him in the 44th minute with the experienced Willie Le Roux, who was less lost on the pitch. The Boks’ back trio missed out on their semi-final, totally destabilized and unable to respond to the “ping-pong rugby” imposed by the XV de la Rose. “We were always in contact but if we made one mistake and they scored, it was dead. We held on,” positive Cheslin Kolbe. While recognizing: “When we step back, we see that we still have a lot of work to do…” And less than a week to prepare for the final against New Zealand.
Six days later and Mr. O’Keeffe was not recognized. The New Zealand referee, so permissive with the South Africans against the French XV, this time allowed them nothing, or not much. He, for example, sanctioned their first defensive climbs, ultra-rapid because they went offside, which then slowed down their attempts. He was also much more severe in the rucks, preventing the Springboks from ruling there with complete impunity. Thus monitored, the reigning world champion was stifled by the English commitment. Fairly. And that changed everything by reducing the opportunities to deploy their game. What a shame that Ben O’Keeffe was not so strict in the quarter-final. Scolded by World Rugby supervisors, who spotted five faults “having a direct impact on the match” not called during France-South Africa (which should have earned him a few weeks in the closet…), he knew he was under surveillance . The public, who booed him copiously at each of his appearances on the giant screen at the Stade de France, were not left out when it came to scrutinizing his performance.
