Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Springboks success: 'never-say-die attitude' and limiting second half damage

By PA
Handre Pollard of South Africa looks on with a cut to his face during the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

South Africa’s victory over New Zealand in the World Cup final was forged in their national psyche, according to some of the stars of their successful title defence.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hosts France, England and the All Blacks each fell by a single point to a Springboks side who do not know when they are beaten, establishing them as rugby’s ultimate knockout specialists.

New Zealand overcame the red card shown to their captain Sam Cane for a dangerous tackle to take an enthralling final to the wire and even had opportunities to snatch South Africa’s crown.

Video Spacer

RWC Final – New Zealand v South Africa

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      RWC Final – New Zealand v South Africa

      Watch highlights, reaction and more to the RWC Final at RugbyPass TV

      Watch Free

      But the repeat champions – now the most successful nation in men’s World Cup history with four titles – defended magnificently to ensure they they will return home on Tuesday as heroes.

      Prop Ox Nche, the destroyer of England’s scrum in the semi-final, said: “It shows our resilience. In South Africa that’s what we are made of.

      “When you think we are down that’s when we come out and shock you and show you that we can achieve anything.

      “I don’t know how to describe this feeling – it is a feeling that is out of this world. If we stay united we can achieve anything. That’s what it means to me.”

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Victory was made possible by four first-half Handre Pollard penalties that saw the fly-half – who was only an injury call up to the squad in mid-September – finish the World Cup with a 100 per cent kicking record.

      “This team has a never-say-die attitude. The second half was more containment and limiting the damage. Even though they scored, we limited them to five points,” Pollard said.

      Related

      It can now be argued that a South Africa team that has amassed back-to-back world titles and defeated the Lions in 2021 is the greatest of all time and there is no question they lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy the hard way.

      Full-back Damian Willemse is delighted to have triumphed on behalf of a nation that is besieged by problems.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “We do it for the people of South Africa. We do it for each other. We do it for our families. People don’t really have the money but they have made their way here to support us,” Willemse said.

      “I’m really proud of everyone for putting their bodies on the line and sacrificing themselves.

      “That is what we have to do to win a World Cup. It is really special to be part of it. I am just really proud to be South African.

      “We knew it was going to take a massive effort to beat the All Blacks. They are a great team who have been in great form these past few weeks.

      “The red card did change the game from a technical point of view, but we knew the All Blacks weren’t going to die.”

      Related

      ADVERTISEMENT

      South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

      Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

      Saitama Wildknights vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

      The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

      Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

      Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

      Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      11 Comments
      S
      Sam 566 days ago

      What’s written is written we will go down as the greatest Rugby Team EVER. Won’t be surprised if another movie is made about us.


      Maybe the AB is jinxed by this so-called Suzie if they want to believe in urban legend stories so be it, we believe in GOD and Pieter Stef du Toit gave all accolades to HIM on his man of the match speech - (Maybe that is the deference we don’t idolize). I will be 6 feet under one day and the AB will still believe in Suzie and will never ever win the Springboks in a World Cup final. Just like the late Jonah Lomu could never ever score 1 try against the Springboks.

      C
      CR 565 days ago

      I agree with the whole Suzie thing, but I think we need to stay humble. 2011-2015 All Blacks were probably as good if not better. Also 2003 England team was incredible. Lomu didn’t score but Cullen scored mutlitple from him drawing defenders…

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      “If we stay united we can achieve anything. That’s what it means to me.”


      I think Ox Nche’s comment clarifies it for me. The team is a microcosm for the country and national unity. They represent the country in a more real way than all other teams (Tier 1 at least).

      It really is South Africa playing out there.

      G
      GrahamVF 566 days ago

      Thank you Turlough. You get it the others really don’t like I saud to you in a post a week ago the Irish and South Africans have a lot more in common than people understand

      J
      JL 566 days ago

      Pity we couldn’t damage control Telea’s blatant forward pass! Guess Barnsey felt sadz for the Sheeps! Too much TMO intervention! So unfair… We want to score our tries with knock-ons and forward passes and the TMO has no right to intervene! Sam’s head assault, oh come on, just part of the game! Frizzel’s criminal assault on Bongi… hey? why are we even looking at that! Hail Suzie!

      G
      GrahamVF 566 days ago

      That is possibly the most unintelligent post I have ever read.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      S
      Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago
      Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

      My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

      CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

      EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

      WhatsApp.. +15617263697

      website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

      Telegram.. +15617263697

      0 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING The Kwagga Smith fairytale is sadly over The Kwagga Smith fairytale is sady over
      Search