Protea substitute boots England out of the Rugby World Cup
In a thrilling semi-final showdown at the Rugby World Cup, South Africa staged a remarkable comeback against a dominant English team, securing a heart-stopping 16-15 victory in the dying moments of the game. Handre Pollard emerged as the hero of the night, nailing a 48-yard screamer that propelled South Africa to the Finals, where they would face the three-time champions, the All Blacks.
The stage was set in Paris on a rainy night, and from the very start, England showcased their dominance by executing meticulous kicking. The Springboks found themselves struggling to break through English defense or match the sheer strength of their opponents forwards.
It appeared that England, the 2019 runners-up, were on a clear path to the final. Coach Steve Borthwick had pledged to have a game plan to unsettle the reigning champions, and for the better part of the game had the Springboks on pins and needles.
England’s fly-half, Owen Farrell, capitalized on this dominance by converting two early penalty opportunities, securing a 6-0 lead. Manie Libbok managed to land one penalty for the Springboks but seemed out of sync. In the 31st minute, South Africa made a pivotal decision, replacing Libbok with Handre Pollard. However, England’s disciplined approach continued to pay off, with another Farrell penalty extending their lead to 12-6 at halftime. Farrell’s remarkable 47-meter drop goal further bolstered England’s advantage, putting them ahead 15-6 and raising the possibility of an impending upset.
Just when hope seems lost, RG Snyman found a way through and crossed the try line to score the only try of the night, reinvigorating the defending champions and their fans. A successful conversion kick narrowed the gap, with the scoreboard reading 15-13 and South Africa suddenly beamed with a sense of confidence unlike anything ever seen before.
The pivotal moment came in the 78th minute when South Africa made a daring decision. Instead of kicking the ball out, relying on a rolling maul and edging closer to the sticks, they entrusted replacement fly-half Handre Pollard with a pressure-packed penalty attempt from nearly halfway. Pollard remained composed and slotted the kick, giving South Africa a lead they had been pursuing all day. With seconds left on the clock, the Springboks fought valiantly, thwarting the mighty English and clinching a heart-stopping one-point victory.
Rugby’s true allure lies in its unpredictability and the ability of champions to turn the tide, even when the odds seem stacked against them. South Africa’s unwavering resilience and sheer determination propelled them to victory, defying all expectations and setting the stage for a monumental final showdown against New Zealand.
