SA seals the deal
Springboks dominate 2019 RWC final, lift Webb Ellis Cup
IN my two earlier articles, I took readers down memory lane to 1987 when the Rugby World Cup tournament started in New Zealand.
The All Blacks, being the hosts, won the final, defeating France. Four years later, the Wallabies wrote their names on the Webb Ellis Cup, outmuscling England.
In 1995, debutant South Africa upset the All Blacks. Their victory united a nation as president Nelson Mandela presented the cup to the South African captain.
In 1999, the Wallabies sealed the deal over the Les Bleus. They became the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup twice. The cup was in the hands of the Southern Hemisphere sides until Jonny Wilkinson’s magic handed ‘The Roses’ their first title, meaning the cup was going, for the first time, to the Northern Hemisphere.
Four years later, the Springboks denied them the opportunity to retain their title.
In 2011, history was re-written as the All Blacks won the title at Eden Park. Scenes of 1987 were repeated as they lifted the cup on home turf, and in 2015, the All Blacks became the first nation to defend the Webb Ellis Cup. They went into the 2019 tournament with a pretty solid side, and the men in black beat South Africa 23-13 in pool play. However, England shocked the giants with some massive hits and a clinical and dominant performance.
They settled for bronze. On the other hand, the Springboks created history. This was the first Springbok team captained by a black man, Siya Kolisi. This was the first time a team had won the RWC after losing a group game.
No other team in history had ever won the Webb Ellis Cup after losing a group match. The Springboks did what the All Blacks failed to do. They not only thrashed Eddie Jones’ brigade 32-12, but demolished the tournament favourites. Hence, it’s my pleasure to reflect on that famous triumph thanks to Sky Sports, The Guardian and World Rugby.
Springboks A-game stood out
The Springboks brought their A-game to the final game of the tournament. The green machine proved to be more powerful, faster and disciplined throughout the game. As the South African players sang along to the national anthem before the game, fans sensed the immensity of the occasion, such was the intensity displayed by captain Siya Kolisi and Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira. They were psyched up for the biggest game of their lives. The brave, bold and courageous Springboks were just ready for the occasion.
Siya Kolisi also created history. It was the first Springbok side to be captained by a black person. There was huge pressure on him, but he did not disappoint, and together with coach Rasie Erasmus, they led their team to the victory which is ranked alongside 1995 and 2007 as most memorable victories at the RWC. It was a beauty to watch Cheslin Kolbe, the magician- the man, whom commentators referred to as the man with dancing feet. Towards the end of the game, he got the ball on the right wing, did a side step to beat the opposition before accelerating down the line to score a scintillating and beautiful try.
Incredible tenacity
The Springboks played with incredible tenacity and won many penalties which were easily converted by Andre Pollard, who was ice cool under pressure. The Springboks defined TEAM aptlyTogether Everyone Achieves More. Their form heading to the RWC was hurting fans, but this did not discourage the team. They kept working together, and everyone did their bit to make the dream a reality. The boys believed in themselves. After they lost their opening game to All Blacks, they walked with incredible self-belief and faith in one another. Cheslin Kolbe and Faf De Klerk were effective and made huge contributions.
Dreams do come true
Rassie Erasmus’ dream journey as Springboks coach continued as South Africa won the final, to become the first side the win the RWC, having lost a game in the pool stage. They dominated at the scrum, and forced England to make uncharacteristic mistakes throughout their gutsy performance. England lost Kyle Sinckler early in the match, but the Springboks power was too much for Eddie Jones’ men. The pressure the Springboks put them under forced far too many mistakes for a side that wanted to win its second Webb Ellis Cup. Despite their lack of cohesion they were in it till the final quarter before a quick brace of tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe demolished their hope of beating the brave Springboks.
My reaction
I was bitter that the All Blacks had failed to beat England in the semi-final. It was a different England side from the side that played the pool game. Eddie Jones’ men lifted their intensity, and those who watched the quarter-final, would have known England was going to be a tough nut to crack as they hammered the Wallabies 40-16. The All Blacks also recorded a sound victory, thrashing Joe Schmidt’s Irish warriors 46-14. I was confident the All Blacks would beat ‘The Roses’, but we were stung with England’s clinical form and ‘on-your-face’ defensive structure. The All Blacks kept wondering what hit them and their performance was far from their impressive win over Ireland. They lost 19-7, and managed a converted try. Although the All Blacks settled for bronze medal after beating Wales 40-17, I was happy for South Africa. They deserved to win. The emotions on the faces of the players said so much. The win brought a nation together. Having been the first black captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, Kolisi united a nation. The victory went much deeper than pleasing rugby fans- the win satisfied a nation and its passionate people. I was in tears seeing grown men sink to their knees, overwhelmed with emotion at the end of the game. Kolisi spoke about how he watched the RWC from a tavern because they did not have television. In the end, I was satisfied that the nation that deserved the Webb Ellis Cup had grasped it from ‘The Roses’.
RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.