HELL AND BOK FOR ENGLAND
Red rose wilts as Pollard’s penalty knocks Borthwick’s men out despite Farrell’s heroics
ENGLAND suffered World Cup semi-final heartbreak on a dramatic night in Paris as Handre Pollard kicked a long-range penalty with two minutes left to take South Africa through to the World Cup Final.
Owen Farrell’s side, written off as no-hopers, put up a superb effort against the world champions but Pollard, brought on as a first-half tactical replacement was the late hero.
With the England captain kicking everything in sight, they led from the third minute but the Springboks’ scrum power – and the boot of Pollard – got them over the line. However, if there was one image which summed up the passion and fight England brought to a beautifully ugly semi-final it was that of a tearful Freddie Steward quivering with emotion as he belting out God Save The King before kick-off.
The recalled Leicester fullback, with hands like shovels, gave a magnificent lead on the pitch, ruling the skies majestically on a filthy night where the high ball was king.
The conditions put a spoke in the wheels of the Springboks’ running game but they could not have expected their power game would short-circuit so badly too.
England’s forward effort was heroic. They competed superbly and tackled ferociously, harrying South Africa into error after error and Tom Curry summed that up by being everywhere. England, immediately going to the air in the swirling rain, got away to the perfect start as South Africa coughed up two penalties inside the opening 10 minutes and Owen Farrell knocked them all over.
Optimistic ripples of Swing Low rang around the Stade de France from the fans who crossed the Channel.
When England’s pack – bolstered by Manu Tuilagi – successfully resisted South Africa’s first attempt at a lineout rumble near the England line, the roar grew louder.
Even more so when George Martin hit Franco Mostert with a colossal tackle in the next play. The most physical side in world rugby were being given a taste of their own medicine. When Farrell (below) was marched back 10 metres and into Manie Libbok’s range for hanging onto the ball, South Africa’s standoff got on the board with a penalty. But, after Farrell had made it 9-3 with another penalty, South Africa’s coaching team decided radical action was needed and substituted Libbok in the 31st minute. Leicester’s Handre Pollard came on in his place. Pollard cut the deficit five minutes before the break after Billy Vunipola –
on as a blood replacement for Tom Curry – coughed up possession in England’s 22.
But Farrell, striking the ball magnificently, drilled a longrange kick over to make it 12-6 to England at the break.
Given all the pre-match predictions, it was a scarcely believable scoreline.
Within four minutes of the restart, South Africa’s scrum-half Cobus Reinach and full-back Damian Willemse had been hooked too – showing South Africa were rattled on all levels.
When Farrell hammered over a huge drop-goal from just inside South Africa’s half in the 53rd minute it was looking like E ngland’s night.
The Red Rose half-backs were controlling the game, pinning the
Boks back with the boot and, forced to chase the game, the mistakes kept on coming.
The only workable weapon the Springboks had – after the introduction of the destructive Ox Nche off the bench – was the scrum. But it turned out to be a significant one.
When Kiwi ref Ben O’keeffe whistled England for collapsing, Pollard hammered the kick into the corner and substitute second row RG Snyman battered his way over for a converted try from the lineout. With 10 minutes left, England led 15-13.
The clock was ticking, but South Africa still had their scrum and when England’s front row were penalised just inside their territory, Pollard drove a dagger through their hearts.