The Springboks have a deep conviction that they can challenge the All Blacks in the grandest rugby event of the year, despite the bumpy path they’ve taken as defending World Cup champions.
Following two contrasting semi-final games, the final of the Rugby World Cup will showcase the All Blacks and Springboks, the two most accomplished nations in the tournament’s history, each boasting three titles.
When the final concludes on Saturday night at Stade de France (8 am Sunday kickoff NZT), one of them will make history by winning their fourth global crown.
The journeys of these two teams could not be more different. The All Blacks had an easy time defeating Argentina in the semi-finals, with a comfortable 44-6 victory after scoring seven tries.
They appear to be peaking at the right moment in the tournament, especially after their shocking defeat in the opening pool match against the hosts.
In contrast, South Africa faced a tough challenge in their semi-final against England, trailing 15-6 deep into the game, played in consistent drizzle.
It took a clutch 78th-minute, 50-meter penalty from replacement flyhalf Handre Pollard to secure a narrow 16-15 victory. This marked the second consecutive week in which the Springboks narrowly advanced, following their quarterfinal win over France.
The Springboks focused on the physicality and determination of the England team, which posed a significant challenge.
The late heroics of players like RG Snyman and Pollard were crucial in overcoming the odds, but coach Jacques Nienaber acknowledged that they needed to improve for the upcoming final.
Nienaber emphasized the difficulty of the final and pointed out that the All Blacks were in excellent form. He stated that if the Springboks didn’t score close to 30-35 points, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
The South African team is gearing up for their second World Cup final against the New Zealanders, aiming to secure back-to-back titles.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, a resilient South African loose forward, acknowledged the challenges they faced against England and stressed the need to prepare well and make the most of opportunities in the final.
Cheslin Kolbe, the brilliant wing, highlighted the physical nature of the upcoming match and the need to elevate their performance.
Cobus Reinach, the starting halfback for the Springboks, recognized the importance of doing their homework and fixing issues in their game before the final.
This Rugby World Cup final marks only the second meeting between the All Blacks and Springboks in this context, with the Springboks winning the previous encounter in 1995.
The two teams have faced each other five times in total at Rugby World Cups, with the All Blacks winning three of those encounters.
Despite their shared history, the mutual respect, and the familiarity between these two formidable teams, they both understand that there will be a steep price to pay for lifting the fourth Webb Ellis Cup in the Parisian night next Saturday.
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