South Africa: Pollard's Late Penalty Gives Boks Last Gasp Semi-Final Win Over England

World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
The Springboks crowned Rugby World Cup Champions 2023
21 October 2023
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)
analysis By Craig Ray

The Springboks are into their fourth Rugby World Cup final after beating England 16-15 in the semi-finals.

South Africa 16 (6) England 15 (12)

They did it again! Somehow the Springboks emerged victorious in an almighty arm wrestle to beat England 16-15 to set up a date with the All Blacks in next week's Rugby World Cup 2023 final.

Handre Pollard stepped up to land a 49-metre penalty three minutes from time after the Boks won a third scrum penalty. It underlined Pollard's ice-cool temperament and the Springboks' never-say-die attitude.

They still had to fend off a sustained England attack in those final, desperate three minutes and they clung on. When the slippery ball squirted from Billy Vunipola's grasp, Bok players fell to their knees.

This was the definition of winning ugly, yet beautifully.

For almost the entire 80 minutes it felt like it wasn't going to be the Boks night. They just couldn't build momentum until they started winning the scrum battle in the second half.

In the 69th minute the Boks won a scrum penalty and Pollard found a great touch close to the England goalline. The Boks secured the lineout ball, Deon Fourie burst at the line but was stopped short. The recycled ball went to RG Snyman who drove and twisted his way...

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