Springboks prepare for epic showdown with All Blacks
The Springboks are gearing up for a huge clash with the All Blacks.South Africa advanced to a historic Rugby World Cup final with the All Blacks after a resounding victory over England.At the 2023 Rugby World CupJacques Nienaber’s coaching staff and players have a lot to think about before they begin the fight for a record fourth title after South Africa were set to host a historic Rugby World Cup final alongside England and New Zealand.
“A slow start to the Springboks’ semi-final win saw them rally ahead of a 16-15 victory on Saturday.”South AfricaThe hosts were 12 points ahead at half-time after back-rowers Siya Kolisi and Peter-Steph du Toit were awarded penalties and England’s Owen Farrell kicked four penalties.Boxing also failed, losing three out of ten matches. That’s twice as many as in the last five games of the tournament. They face the All Blacks in Paris this Saturday, who lead the league with 325 points after a comfortable win over Argentina.
“We have to have a plan,” Boks flyhalf Handre Pollard told reporters after the game. “They play a really explosive game and punish teams all over the park.”We have to do our homework on this,” Pollard said. Four years after scoring the winning goal with 4 minutes remaining in Japan’s semi-final, Pollard (29) scored the winning goal with a penalty kick in the 77th minute of the second half in Paris despite inclement weather.A week later, in Yokohama, he scored 22 of South Africa’s 32 points against England. “We knew it was going to be like this until a few minutes before the game ended,” Pollard said.”It was a little windy. The wind was not so important. “It rained all night and it was slippery,” he added. – “blessing” -That opportunity came against England when he replaced prop Ox Nche, who was awarded a penalty in a scrum after handling an awkward Springboks prop.
As they did against France in the quarter-finals last weekend, they lost four scrums, another worry for Nienaber and his astute director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. “Our wood saved us,” Pollard said.He added, “It’s a great blessing to have such a big impact in terms of coming out.” For two weeks in a row, the policy of replacing Nienaber and Erasmus worked, although it took a little longer to produce results.Pollard came on for Marny Reebok after 30 minutes of play against England, while the experienced Faf de Klerk came on for Kobus Reinach a minute after the break. Nche and R.G. they scored in the 69th minute of the second half. Substitutes such as Snyman had a positive impact for the three-time Webb Ellis Trophy winner until Pollard was awarded a late penalty.”We’re always ready,” Pollard said. “I don’t expect action until half-time.”But I tried to go out and do my job,” he added. Next weekend’s decider in the French capital is a rematch of the 1995 World Cup final won by South Africa.Since the first Test in 1921, the two teams have played each other over 100 times. Nienaber’s side won the plug in their last outing with a record 35-7 win over the All Blacks in their final game before the World Cup last August.
New Zealand recovered from that humiliation by defeating tournament champions Ireland in the quarter-finals and Argentina in the semi-finals.”It matters how much they’ve grown since then,” Nche said. “The way they play, the way they do things, everything is different.”It will be a whole new challenge,” he added.