In a darkened French stadium where the supporters were still frustrated by the elimination of the Blues and the contentious arbitration against them, the second semi-final delivered its verdict. And the Springboks, thanks to a final penalty from Handré Pollard (77th), beat an eye-catching XV de la Rose (16-15) at the end of the suspense. South Africa therefore joins New Zealand in the final.
The English may not be the best team in the world but they played to their strengths tonight. Pragmatic in attack and tireless in defense, the XV de la Rose hampered the Springboks from the start of the match. With numerous offensive tackles, the English pushed back the South Africans who were curiously helpless and without solution. Without progress, Rassie Erasmus’ men tried to vary with kicking play. But there again they came across precise and serene Englishmen in the air.
The first half was therefore a long succession of penalties on both sides in which the English chose to take the points in each situation. It was a good thing for them because with a 100% against Owen Farrell’s poles (3′, 10′, 24′, 39′) it was the English who came into the lead at the break against the overly greedy South Africans. In a position to attempt the penalty three times, the Boks, sure of their strength, chose to go into touch. Choices which ultimately proved to be losers, faced with the excellent English defense and Mbonambi’s throwing problems.
Despite capricious weather, the hope of a more exciting second period was legitimate as the first 40 minutes left the somewhat sleepy spectators at the Stade de France wanting more. But upon returning from the locker room, the observation was clear, it would not be the case. The slag multiplied, as did the forwards, not to mention the numerous missed touches by the pitchers of both teams, inevitably hampered by a slippery ball.
It is therefore the kicking game and dispossession which were once again favored by the two teams (69 kicking games in total). But unlike last week against the French XV, the Boks came across imperial Englishmen in the air like Freddie Steward, sparkling in the field this Saturday evening. Owen Farrell also showed himself at the best of times and believed he gave the XV de la Rose a decisive advantage by releasing a drop of more than 40m from another world (53′).
But South Africa is not world champion for nothing. Although unrecognizable for the majority of the 80 minutes, the Boks made the difference in the money-time. In 10 minutes, they simply overthrew the English. Relying on a dominating scrum rewarded by Ben O’Keeffe, they gradually moved up the field to send Snyman into the goal after a succession of penalties (70′). The match was restarted and finally ignited. A few moments later, the Boks’ scrum gave Handré Pollard the opportunity to give his team the advantage. With his experience, the substitute fly-half at kick-off (he replaced Libbok in the 30th minute) did not tremble to score a penalty of more than 50 meters (77’).
England’s plan was almost perfect but ultimately failed in the final moments. South Africa can thank its scrum which allows it to reach the final next Saturday. The Boks will therefore be there to defend their title against the All-Blacks for a real shock at the top in the final of this 2023 World Cup.
