In Saint-Denis
FAVORITES
A shock at the top. Bitter, hard and intense. A showdown won by Ireland (13-8) who should finish first in their group and could find New Zealand in an explosive quarter-final. Despite a few hiccups at the start of the match, the Clover XV gained momentum in this match and was able to compete physically with the big South African arms, who surprisingly tried to push the game forward. As if they refused to fight head-on . With this powerful victory, Ireland, which has just signed a 16th victory in a row, is assured of retaining its place as the first nation in the world rankings. She has just struck a big blow and is asserting herself a little more as one of the big favorites for the world title, she who has never gone beyond the quarter-final stage. The Irish can believe it against the All Blacks: they have five victories in their last eight confrontations. Opposite, the Springboks will stand in the way of the French XV in the quarterfinals. For an explosive shock. And downright muscular.
It was a green tide! The Irish almost played at home. Ireland’s Call reasoned as at the Aviva Stadium! At the end of the match, almost the entire stadium remained for many minutes communing with the winners. 30,000 Irish supporters were announced, there were surely many more as the Stade de France was green with happiness at the final whistle. At least 50,000! Even before kick-off, Jonathan Sexton’s admirers made the Stade de France vibrate with incredible fervor. Convinced of their strength, the Irish (like their team perhaps…) already see themselves returning here on October 28 to lift the trophy at the Stade de France…
Behind a South African attack line lacking inspiration, the rear increased its audacity and judicious restarts. The Stormers player has been one of the most active of the Boks, constantly bringing danger and uncertainty into the Irish defence. Certainly the best offensive weapon of the outgoing world champions and the only one to worry the airtight Irish curtain. His attempts would have deserved better.
CLAW STRIKES
South Africa has always built its successes thanks to an infallible scorer. Able to punish the slightest opposing fault. This Saturday, against the Irish, the South African scorers failed in this capable sector. In the end, fly-half Mannie Libbok and scrum-half Faf de Klerk left behind no less than 11 points: three penalties and a conversion. This is far too much in such a tight and indecisive match, which was decided by five small points. Especially since opposite Johnny Sexton did not tremble, scoring a conversion and a penalty. Since the start of the competition, Mannie Libbok has regularly experienced failures against the poles. Recently recalled to the Boks squad, Handré Pollard, regular scorer during the 2019 coronation, should help resolve this efficiency problem.
They were expected at the front with an XXL bench, but that is where they sinned. The Boks never seemed able to endanger the Irish defense in the upwind game, as they seemed dominated in the ground game. Excellent with seven turnovers won, the Irish scratchers even forced the South Africans to play against nature, by dismissing the balls far too quickly. The few balls played in contact were often lost, scratched or punished with a ground foul. If the closed scrum generally dominated its subject, the South Africans were punished at two crucial moments, allowing the Irish to get back in front and widen the gap in the 76th minute.
The Irish scrum-half disappointed. Countered by Etzebeth on a kick behind his scrum, uncreative in his offensive animation, the number 9 of Leinster let all the weight of the strategy of the men in the green jersey weigh on the shoulders of his opening partner Johnny Sexton . A match within Jamison Gibson-Park, yet one of the strong men of the Clover XV. He gave way in the 66th minute to veteran Conor Murray, when Ireland definitively turned the game around.
The XV du Trèfle had a very complicated start to the match in terms of conquest. Especially on the sidelines, where the players of Paul O’Connell, the manager of this sector, lost four balls on their own throws. More than worrying when we know their level of demands and perfection. Twice, the Irish chose the penalty in the South African 22 meters. And they lost the ball twice. Two big opportunities wasted. Two harvested balloons. Unusual for such a well-oiled machine. Overconfidence? It could have been costly in the end, but Jonathan Sexton’s teammates were able to turn things around as the match progressed. Regaining their cold efficiency. A simple ignition delay which was not detrimental.