The Controversial Defeat of the XV of France: Secrets Revealed by Philippe Saint-André

It was almost premonitory. Shortly before the start of the meeting between France and South Africa on Sunday, which saw the Blues eliminated by the Springboks after a controversial match (29-28), former French coach Philippe Saint- André returned, at the microphone of RMC, to another traumatic episode in French rugby history. In 1995, the Tricolores of which Saint-André was captain faced the South Africans in the semi-final of the World Cup. A match won by the Boks marred by several questionable facts of play.

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The Isérois returned in particular to the “four attempts refused” to the French, as well as to the one recorded by the South African third row Ruben Krueger: “The poor man died; before dying he wrote a book, he says in the book which he never flattened.”

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Then: “At the end of the match, we are five meters from their line they collapse the scrum five times. Now with video refereeing it would be a penalty try. And it goes even further” adds the former captain, who advances that “the New Zealanders” were “poisoned before the final” against the Springboks. “They had 80% of sick guys,” estimates Saint-André, who continues with other revelations: “at the reception, the president of the South African federation gives a special prize to Mr. Bevan, the referee, a watch worth 30,000 euros. On this fact, the All Blacks leave the reception. Rugby wasn’t as media-focused…”

Very moved, the former Montferrand player explained that he had “never seen so much sadness in a locker room” as after this meeting. “When you see everything that happened, you can still ask yourself the question. I broke down, I never said it, I waited 28 years” he concluded.