Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ English rugby enthusiasts faced a nerve-wracking experience at the Stade de France in Paris during Saturday night’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa. The majority of the game suggested that England might secure a surprise victory against the defending champions. However, the climax of the match featured an extraordinary penalty conversion by Handre Pollard in the last minutes, resulting in a one-point victory for the Boks.
Expressing the rollercoaster of emotions, Springbok fan Marguerite shared, “I would say for 65 minutes it’s probably the most horrible match for us to watch. But yes, ended up to be the most wonderful one.” She marvelled at the fact that it was the second consecutive weekend where they clinched a win with a one-point difference at the last moment.
In the crucial moments, with the scoreboard showing 15-13 in favor of England, props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch executed a massive and desperate effort in the scrum, earning a penalty for South Africa. This set the stage for Pollard’s game-winning kick from halfway across the field with less than two minutes left in the match.
Jonathan Webb, another fervent Bok supporter, credited Pollard for bringing composure to the game, particularly with his kicking prowess. He highlighted a significant aspect, stating, “But the other point is that the Springboks scored the only try. England never looked like scoring a try, so that’s a very good thing for South Africa.”
The culmination of the match triggered a collective sigh of relief and jubilation among fans both in Paris and back home in South Africa. The Springboks’ triumph secured their spot in the finals against the All Blacks the following weekend. The journey to the finals was filled with suspense and drama, making it a memorable experience for fans on the edge of their seats.
