England were utter garbage tonight. SA did to us what we did to the Kiwi’s and we just didn’t have an answer
As gutted as I am, I’m not really surprised by the result. After a stunning win over the All Blacks, everyone was quick to dismiss SA as a final pushover. I didn’t get it. They’ve been solid if uninspiring throughout and they were always going to provide a sterner physical test than New Zealand. The Springboks defending today has been nothing short of magnificent. They banjoed us in the scrum and mauls and were, pretty much, a brick wall that England could not get through.
Great game for 50-60 minutes before England’s discipline went out of the window and it became a procession. Grats to SA because they’re deserved winners.
I could only watch the first half and am not at all surprised by the result. That Saffa defence was rock solid and England were sloppy with the ball and by the score line unfortunately it didn’t look like it improved in the second half. The best team won on the day, so better luck next time England.
Congratulations to South Africa - massive performance and thoroughly deserved the win.
Wonderful to see Kolisi lift the trophy - says a lot about how far SA has come as a country.
I could watch Cheslin Kolbe run all day - sublime runner, and - like Shane Williams & Jason Robinson before him -proves that you don't need to be a monster to play rugby.
Also - massive credit to the Japanese people who have delivered an amazing competition.
Had to watch on delay, but bloody mate ruined it for me anyway! Saw it out though, and mightily disappointed. We obviously peaked against the All Blacks, and it wasn't gonna get any better than that.
Will be a very tough defeat to swallow for the team, and will take some time for them to get over that.
Brilliant story again though for SA.
I think you're doing discredit to France theredata:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 NZ too at the moment.
Although the Bronze game put to rest the people saying Wales v NZ final, and they'd give the kiwis a stuffing.
England were disappointing, total props to SA, best team on the day.
At least we won't have to put up with another 'fantastic sportsman give them all knighthoods only for them to do fudge all afterwards'.
Cheers,
Nigel
Agree wholeheartedly. Let's hope the Japanese team gets some good Tier 1 opposition even if only in the Autumn Internationals. They could play four tests against the home nations in that period.
It's difficult because of their location. I'd love em in the 6 (or 7!) nations, but regular games within Europe are likely never gonna happen.
Hopefully they get more game time going forward against the likes of Australia and New Zealand.
To be fair to Wales they had to make nine changes mainly due to injury and missed some extremely important players against NZ. Wales did play an extra game and all against good opposition.
As for the semi, that hinged on a penalty turnover when Wales were in the ascendancy and the Boks took that one chance to win the game. Could easily have been the Welsh in the final by three points as they fought for the whole 80 minutes.
England's game against NZ was one of, if not the best game on the tournament and was a joy to watch and they must be extremely disappointed with today's performance, yet we have seen it time and time again in recent years when the games really matter.