For 80 minutes, let’s forget the world’s woes

It is seldom that so much is at stake in a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. Tonight’s match in Paris between the Springboks and France will be about sport — and so much more. As champions, there will be much pressure on the Springboks, who will play before a partisan home crowd rooting — to a man, woman and child — for their national team. But having spent four years building towards the retention of their 2019 Rugby World Cup crown, the team should have the will and big-game temperament to see them emerge victorious at the end of this evening’s do-or-die contest.

France, also, has been preparing for the big stage since the surprising announcement in 2017 that they would host this year’s tournament. As with Springbok supporters, the home team’s followers will expect nothing short of victory.

This edition of the RWC takes place against the backdrop of war in many parts of the world, notably in Ukraine and lately between Israel and Hamas, both of which have come at a huge human cost.

International sporting competition, as in the current rugby fest, encapsulates the spirit of promoting peace and friendship between nations. It does, of course, take people’s minds off the horror, the stress and anxiety wrought by war — even if only for a while.

But on the playing field tonight, two proud rugby nations will have so much to lose — and to win. An exit as hosts for France would be as disappointing as ceding the world champion title would be for South Africa. It’s the beauty, and the cruelty, of sport at the level of a World Cup that there can be only one winner.

Together with all South Africans, we wish the Boks victory tonight.

What a nerve-racking 80 minutes it will be, from Paris to Parys.