In a match that was nothing short of a rollercoaster of emotions and skill, the Springboks pulled off an extraordinary win against France, earning their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Trailing for a significant portion of the game, South Africa’s resilient defence and Handre Pollard’s game-changing penalty turned the tide in their favour.
The riveting 29-28 victory in Paris on Sunday evening sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated semi-final clash against England.
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As reported by SA Rugby Magazine, Handre Pollard’s decisive long-distance penalty was the key to South Africa’s triumph over France, securing their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. The Springboks trailed by six points in the second half but mounted an extraordinary comeback, bolstered by a steadfast defence, to clinch a riveting 29-28 win in Paris on Sunday evening.
France had the upper hand for a significant portion of the match, controlling both territory and possession. They appeared poised for victory, leading 25-19 in the second half and seemingly ready to deliver the final blow to the reigning world champions.
But South Africa wasn’t ready to concede. Eben Etzebeth reignited the team’s hopes with a powerful try, followed by a successful conversion from Pollard that gave South Africa the lead for the first time since the game’s 27th minute.
In a crucial moment, the Springboks secured a penalty after applying defensive pressure at the halfway mark. Amidst a cacophony of boos from the fervent Stade de France crowd, Pollard displayed unflappable composure, nailing the 51-metre kick.
The suspense endured until the final minutes. French fullback Thomas Ramos narrowed the gap to just one point with a successful penalty. However, South Africa’s resolute defence throttled France’s dynamic attack, ultimately regaining possession and launching the ball into the stands to finalise the win.
The drama-filled match followed an evenly contested first half, during which both teams scored three tries, leaving the score level at 19-19. The tension escalated when Etzebeth was penalised and sent to the sin bin for dangerous head-on-head contact in a tackle. Ramos made good on the resulting penalty, giving France a slim advantage going into halftime.
Looking ahead, the Springboks will face off against England, who narrowly defeated Fiji earlier in the day, in the next semi-final match set.
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Picture: @Springboks / Twitter