Well, the English saved the honor of the European teams on Friday evening by beating Argentina 26 to 23 in the match for third place. But once again, it is the South of the planet which was in the spotlight this Saturday, at the Stade de France, venue for the 2023 Rugby Cup final. After two clashes this summer, with a victory for each On the other hand, the All Blacks and the Springboks met for the highlight of this world meeting. A third clash in 2023 between these two teams which saw, initially, the All Blacks give a lesson in kicking to the Bocks, then the latter win, thanks to their defense and their dazzling performances. This time, it was under the rain and the wind that these two legendary nations launched the debates in a Stade de France as full as an egg. Knowing that, whatever the outcome of this evening, one of the two nations would hang a fourth star on their jersey. It was ultimately South Africa which achieved this feat.
A piecemeal first period
The match started on a high note and from the third minute, the third row All Back Frizell on a first regroup took a yellow card for foul play! A penalty follows for South Africa (3-0). The latter, fifteen against fourteen, dominates these first moments and obtains a new penalty which Pollard, metronome, transforms (6-0). The Blacks’ response also comes with a penalty (6-3) which is followed… again and again… by a penalty for the South Africans (9-3). The desire to play, especially on the part of the New Zealanders, despite the wet weather conditions, comes down to a series of kicks from one camp to the other, to the point that it is still a fault which allows the Bocks to take three additional points (12-3). But the highlight of this first period remains the yellow card for New Zealander Sam Cane, who turns red following a tackle too high. The end of this first act sees New Zealand come back thanks to a penalty, after a serious South African mistake (12-6). Despite this lead for the men led by Rassie Erasmus, nothing seems certain.
The All Blacks push in vain
In the second half, the game picks up at a very high pace. The Springboks missed the opportunity to score the first try on two poorly negotiated opportunities. Kolisi then Arendse were within striking distance. The same Kolisi takes a yellow card a few moments later for dangerous play allowing the two teams to play fourteen against fourteen for ten minutes. The Blacks produce the game, the Boks destroy it before the eyes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. But by pushing, the New Zealanders end up finding the fault and finally scoring, thanks to Beauden Barrett, the first try of this final on the line (11-12). Each of the two teams goes blow for blow, the players led by Ian Foster do not let go of their grip, but the South Africans defend like hell as the minutes tick by. As for three matches, whether against France, then England and finally New Zealand, the Springboks, by dint of defensive rush, small faults barely visible but so decisive for the outcome of the match, have at the end snatched their second consecutive world title and the fourth in their history.
Eric Serres
2023-10-28 22:04:43
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