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Springboks look to defend World Cup title in 'special' final against All Blacks
By Finn Morton
After beating England in a thrilling semi-final at Stade de France on Saturday, South Africa will look to defend their Rugby World Cup title against fierce rivals New Zealand next weekend.
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With 20 minutes to play against a valiant England outfit on a rain-soaked night in Saint-Denis, the Springboks looked down and out.
Owen Farrell had knocked over a drop goal from long-range less than 10 minutes earlier. It was a moment that felt eerily similar to Dan Carter’s clutch kick against the Boks in their semi-final back in 2015.
But spurred on by thousands of South African rugby fans watching on in both awe and desperation, the Springboks mounted a famous comeback. Handre Pollard was the hero with a clutch penalty goal at the death.
South Africa is potentially 80 minutes away from becoming just the second nation to go back-to-back at Rugby World Cups, but they’ll face a tough Test against the country that first achieved that feat.
The All Blacks have overcome pressure, scrutiny and external doubt to book their spot in the big dance. Their ferocious rivalry with the Boks also sets the scene for what will be a “special” Cup final.
“It’s going to be as big as it was tonight,” Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said on Saturday.
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“The All Blacks played really well last night but we want to thank the South African supporters who came all the way here to support us and the ones back at home as well.
“Next week is going to be hard, it’s going to be special but may they stay with us and hopefully we can defend it.”
The All Blacks looked like world-beaters during a perfect run in The Rugby Championship earlier this year. New Zealand beat Argentina, Australia and of course South Africa.
But the Springboks got their revenge. Playing at Twickenham two weeks before the World Cup, the Boks ran riot against a helpless All Blacks outfit as they won 35-7.
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South Africa was widely bestowed World Cup favouritism along with tournament hosts France, while the New Zealanders were written off as a shadow of their former selves.
But the past is the past. These two teams will etch another chapter into the history of their great rivalry next weekend as the Boks look to defend their World Cup crown.
“It’s honestly all the hard work we have put in came off. It was really ugly today but that is what champions are made of,” Kolisi added.
“Credit to England, they have worked hard. They were written off before the World Cup. Coach Steve [Borthwick] and Owen [Farrell] and the team pulled themselves together and showed who they are. They are not a team you take lightly, all credit to them for being in the semi-final today.
“To my team as well it was ugly today like it was last week but we found a way to fight back and get back into the game. Well done to the boys. I am really proud of the fight that was showed, especially the guys who came off the bench once again.”
France progressed to the final in 1999 beating NZ 43 -31. SAF beat NZ 22 a- 18 for third place
Will be epic but the Boks have not beaten NZ at any RWC after 1995 and 1999…just saying
EXTRA TIME
In case of a draw at the end of 80 minutes, two periods of extra time of 10 minutes each will be played.
GOLDEN POINT EXTRA TIME
If the scores are still level after extra time a further 10 minutes of golden-point extra time will be played. The first team to score points win the game.
KICKING COMPETITION
If scores are still tied after golden-point extra time, a kicking competition will be played. Five players from each team will kick from three different positions with the team converting most kicks winning.
The three kicking positions, all on the 22 metre line, are as follows:
Position 1: directly in front of the posts;
Position 2: on the 15 metre line on the left-hand side of the posts;
Position 3: on the 15 metre line on the right-hand side of the posts.
Abs going for three of the last four cups. Boks looking to be only the 2nd team to defend a cup. Bring it on…
The tuff grind of 2015 RWC semi final - SAF V NZ
All Blacks defence denied SAF any tries while Handre Pollard 4 penalties kept them in the game. Dan Carter after the restart steals the ball , passes to Nonu who draws 2 defenders before putting B.Barret in for a try in the corner. Final score 20- 18 to ABs.
That’s what fly halves are meant to do, set up tries. The ABs have fly halve Richie Mounga with incredible talent and vision.
Eng v Saf was a rain drenched rugby game, im glad the team that scored most tries won. I hope in the final the rain stays away. Let’s see a final for the ages, campaign rugby, plenty of long range runs and forget about drop goals until after 65 minutes or so.
Go get that record Will Jordan or Talea with four.
All Blacks 30 - 18
If NZ can impose their game plan on SA then there’ll only be one team in it. But if the Bok squeeze the life out of the game like they are so good at doing then it is anyone’s game.
Twickenham is irrelevant.
We have the team to do it. We showed it at Twickenham. Just trust each other and play for South Africa 🇿🇦. Crush the darkness and bring the sunshine home 🌞
Hope Ian Foster is going to watch Saturdays game with popcorn and don’t care who wins. AB and their supporters has become arrogant, look what Ione said to Sexton that is being arrogant. No class same as JK and Jeff Wilson, they think they know it all.
I think this whole catchphrase of the Boks to defend the cup could be a bit negative. I remember when the ABs did it they said you have to go out and win the world cup, even if it is the second time in a row. Having the we are trying not to lose mentality may come back to bite them