Another narrow victory for South Africa who beat England 16-15 in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. The final will pit the Springboks against the New Zealand All Blacks.
The Springboks have done it again. After a quarter-final won at the last minute against the French XV (29-28), the South Africans qualified on Saturday October 21 for the World Cup final by overthrowing the England team (16-15) three minutes from the end of the match, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Two decisive matches, two matches won by one point by the title holders. Despite (or because of) these late victories, the South Africans are no longer afraid of anything. Not even the All Blacks, who they will face in the final on Saturday October 28: “We’re going to settle their score”, says one of the Springboks supporters, whom franceinfo met in Johannesburg. His face painted in the colors of South Africa, wearing a hat representing the Arc de Triomphe, he asserts that “defeat is not an option, we will go to the end.”
What is at stake is a record: a fourth Rugby World Cup coronation, after those of 1995, 2007 and 2019. South Africa wants to establish its domination.
“We are on course to win a fourth trophy! No one has ever done that, it will be the second in a row.”
A Springbok supporterat franceinfo
Fans remember the Springboks’ victory (35-7) against the New Zealanders in August in England during a preparation match. But since then, the All Blacks have shown a completely different face: “Unlike what we saw at Twickenham a few months ago, the All Blacks should be ruthless this time.”
This does not scare another supporter, who bets on a close match… before a victory for his team: “We just experienced an intense battle for victory, while New Zealand enjoyed an easy match against Argentina. I’m South African, I will support the Springboks until the end, but… this It’s going to be tight.”
The South Africans are now used to close matches, especially in this tenth edition of the World Cup. In Johannesburg, the most optimistic see this experience as an asset.