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'Subconsciously, it's the final the Northern Hemisphere really wanted'

Ian Foster coach of New Zealand (L) and Rassie Erasmus coach of South Africa chat duringg the Rugby Championship test match between New Zealand and South Africa played at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on July 15, 2023. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

The world’s two most storied Rugby World Cup teams will come together in a final for the first time since 1995, having each dismissed the best of Europe’s rugby talent.

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Despite an immensely successful four years for both France and Ireland, neither side could overcome the Rugby World Cup-winning experience that South Africa and New Zealand both boast.

The quarter-finals saw two powerhouses fall, leaving the Southern Hemisphere with the bragging rights for another World Cup cycle.

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Siya Kolisi talks about the Springboks facing off against the All Blacks in the World Cup Final

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    Siya Kolisi talks about the Springboks facing off against the All Blacks in the World Cup Final

    Former Springbok captain John Smit made his international debut five years after that famous Springbok win in 1995, the legend commented on the rivalry between the two great nations making this a final for the ages.

    “Subconsciously, it’s the final the Northern Hemisphere really wanted,” Smit laughed, speaking to the Front Row Daily Show.

    “I always talk about how you get two debuts; the first time you play for South Africa and then obviously the first time you face the haka.

    “I think it’s really just built around the respect, over 100 years, and it’s not just the rugby field, it’s the history behind the two teams.

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    “I also think it’s the comradery, we absolutely go hammer and tongs for 80 minutes and it’s the first team that we want to be in our changing room for a beer.

    “I just don’t think that there’s that kind of rivalry between two teams that is so intense for 80 minutes and yet so connected afterwards. I think that’s where the specialness lies.”

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    The Springboks have named a 7-1 bench split for the final, an unheard-of tactic prior to the World Cup warm-ups.

    Rolling out just one back reserve at Twickenham back in August, the Springboks pummelled the All Blacks, claiming the greatest-ever winning margin over the Kiwis.

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    It’s the latest Rassie Erasmus rugby innovation, the creative Director of Rugby has a long history of pushing boundaries and seeking out opportunities to be a step ahead.

    Smit witnessed the unapologetic drive for success first-hand back in Erasmus’ playing days.

    “The only thing that you can say with absolute certainty about Rassie Erasmus is you can be certain of nothing that he’s going to do next.

    “He’s always just one step ahead. As a player, when he was playing under Nick Mallett, there was no analysis systems and all these new software. He went and bought his own system and started doing his own analysis while playing for the Springboks. And then, he started giving feedback to Nick Mallett, the coach.

    “He always tries to be one step ahead and he’s been pretty good at getting it right most of the time.

    “He always finds a way, especially with this group, to get them in the right space mentally. He just knows which buttons to press.

    “We’ve seen a Springbok team that always only ever did one thing, which is bash and kicked but this team has done a few things, they have innovated. Every week we see some new move, something out of the box. Like that lineout when they played straight down to Kurt-Lee (Arendse), there’s always something going on.”

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    Comments

    27 Comments
    W
    Warner 515 days ago

    Ka mate
    Ka mate

    All the way to 2027

    T
    Turlough 515 days ago

    The experience was a factor but and even the experience of playing and winning a quarter final would have benefited Ireland and France massively. This was not possible due to the draw so Ireland and France had to play world cup winner standard teams in the quarter final. This ridiculous draw has been going on since 2003. Note also that as far as I can see NZ/SA/AUS/ENG never had to play their main pool rivals the week before a quarter.
    It only gets resolved when the most extreme situation emerges involving NZ/SA.
    I don’t know why Smit is on about the NH psychologically wanting a SH final? Saffers are funny compared to the dour Kiwis but that’s poor if its a windup.

    K
    Kenny 515 days ago

    Us NH-ers definitely put in our place again! Ireland improving loads but still not got that Kiwi/Saffer killer spirit at that RWC knockout level & it showed as we played below our normal level in the knockout stages as we have everytime in QFs except 1991 when we played better than normal. Sure we came close but it was against ABs suffering with 2 harsh YCs & our two tries (3rd was a penalty try) scored by Kiwis FFS. Deep down I dont think many of the the team were looking forward to it, they didnt look they were enjoying it, almost took it too seriously (JS), were over emotional & messed up basics all over the place, probably let NZ get in their heads too possibly due to some of our players behaviour last time in NZ being trappy. Gotta back that talk up. ABs looked like they were loving it, relishing it but not many of us. Farrell been fantastic & team come on so much since the bad old days. Some awesome players coming thru too plus our foreign legion of imported players ha ha. Maybe next time! NZ & SA awesome…I’ve got 3 rugby tops, Ireland, Connacht & SA (gift from a Bok friend) so am cheering Boks but may the best team win.

    s
    strachan 515 days ago

    Stu Kaaaanti Fat Barnes and Sir Clive Woodward. They will wait another 159 years. For Ireland I don't know.

    J
    Jon 515 days ago

    He surprised me. I expected the same bench with Pollard on it. Wonder if the coach overruled him this time?

    P
    Pecos 516 days ago

    Hahaha John Smit lol. In truth the Northern Hemisphere scribes, pundits, & fans, prematurely ejaculated themselves to RWC glory before the first ball was kicked off. When will they ever learn?

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    reginaldgarcia 28 minutes ago
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    8 Go to comments
    J
    JW 1 hour ago
    Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

    MP are a NZ side through and through, NZ is even having to pay for it.

    Yes they caved to public demand, I bet it accomplished a lot of internal goals. They could have left it to the other groups, but I’m of the belief that they weren’t showing the capability to make it work as being a good reason for NZR to jump in and do it. I think it’s actually funded 50/50 between NZR and WR though.

    (when nothing was stopping a pi player playing for any side in Super Rugby)

    Neither is that fact true. Only 3 non NZ players are allowed in each squad.


    I see you also need to learn what the term poach means - take or acquire in an unfair or clandestine way. - Moana have more slots for non eligible players (and you have seen many return to an NZ franchise) so players are largely making their own choice without any outside coercion ala Julian Savea.

    Not one of these Kiwis and Aussies would go live in the Islands to satisfy any criteria, and I’d say most of them have hardly ever set foot in the islands, outside of a holiday.

    Another inaccurate statement. Take Mo’unga’s nephew Armstrong-Ravula, if he is not eligible via ancestry in a couple of generations time, he will be eligible because he plays his rugby there (even if he’s only their for rugby and not living there), that is a recent change made by World Rugby to better reflect examples like Fabian Holland and Fakatava.

    It’s becoming the jump-ship/zero loyalty joke that international League is.

    Look I understand you’re reason to cry and make an example at any opportunity, but you don’t really need to anymore, other recent changes made by WR are basically going to stop the Ireland situation, and time (perhaps no more than a decade) will fix the rest.

    26 Go to comments
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