Wily Springboks break English hearts with stunning late comeback
SWEET EMOTIONS: South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit celebrates after winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final, Stade de France, Paris between England and South Africa. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland
Handrè Pollard struck a late penalty to deny England a stunning upset as Saturday's World Cup semi-final turned into the most unlikely — and most absorbing — of slugfests.
Veteran fly half Pollard held his nerve with a deep penalty two minutes from time to give the reigning champions the lead for the first time and they clung on through a breathless final English assault.
Munster lock RG Snyman had struck for the game's only try with juts 11 minutes left on the clock at the Stade de France and fellow replacement Pollard made no mistake with the conversion to bring the South Africans into striking distance after England had controlled the scoreboard and much of the contest.
All of England's points came from the boot of captain Owen Farrell who struck four penalties and a monster drop goal midway through the second half. Only then, and with the help of their veteran bench, did the Springboks finally grab a hold of the spellbinding contest.
Steve Borthwick's men led by nine points in the final quarter but their wet-weather masterclass began to fade as the 'Bomb Squad' made their presence felt for the Springboks, especially in the scrum. It was on the back of their set-piece ascendancy and the generalship of Pollard that the tables turned in a sodden Paris.
England's players sank to their knees at the final whistle, their hearts broken having given their all in a rematch of the 2019 final despite being distant outsiders, and it was an especially cruel moment for Farrell given his outstanding night.
Farrell was at the heart of many of his side's best moments and although the captain drew the now customary boos when his name was read out on the PA system pre-match, he replied by drawing first blood with a penalty.
Breakdown and line-out success, as well as Ben Earl blasting off the base of the scrum, were further early wins until a promising drive downfield ended with Farrell kicking his second penalty.
Three times in a row England turned over South African line-out drives, winning a penalty on the third of them to relieve the pressure that was building on their line.
Every aspect of an arm wrestle of a contest was being won by England, but they were also their own worst enemies as they gave away three needless penalties, one of them for a moment of petulance from Farrell that allowed Manie Libbok to land three points.
His eyes bulging, Farrell was playing on the edge and had to be escorted away from referee Ben O'Keeffe, but he regained his composure to re-establish the six-point lead.
Libbok became the fall guy for South Africa's woes when he was replaced in the 32nd minute by Pollard in the hope the 2019 World Cup winner would bring greater control.
Pollard's first involvement was to boot a penalty and growing tension was evident as errors crept into both sides, but when Farrell found the target for the fourth time, England entered the break with a deserved 12-6 lead.
Rookie Leicester lock George Martin had been at the forefront of red rose resistance through his savage tackling and as the rain continued to fall there was no prospect of the game opening up.
Scrum-half Cobus Reinach and full-back Damian Willemse were the next to be pulled by South Africa, who now had Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux on the field, and then Eben Etzebeth followed them into the dugout.
The changes were a reflection of England's control and just as the Springboks appeared to be clawing their way into contention, Farrell rifled over a sensational drop-goal.
England's captain was striking gold with every touch as a wicked crossfield grubber caused Kurt-Lee Arendse to fumble, but South Africa were beginning to harvest penalties at the scrum.
Suddenly the Springboks went up a gear, their pack pouring forwards from a line-out for Snyman to score.
It was now all South Africa, who had discovered a new lease of life, and when the moment for glory came, Pollard stepped up to deliver his monster penalty.
Farrell 4. Farrell.
Snyman. Pollard. Libbok, Pollard 2.
Steward, May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly, Farrell, Mitchell, Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl. Ford for May (78), Lawrence for Tuilagi (74), Care for Mitchell (53), Genge for Marler (53), Sinckler for Cole (56), Chessum for Martin (53), Vunipola for Curry (69). Not Used: Dan.
Willemse, Arendse, Kriel, de Allende, Kolbe, Libbok, Reinach, Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi, P. du Toit, Vermeulen. le Roux for Willemse (44), Pollard for Libbok (32), de Klerk for Reinach (43), Nche for Kitshoff (49), Koch for Malherbe (56), Snyman for Etzebeth (46), Smith for Kolisi (51), Fourie for Vermeulen (51).
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand).
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