- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
In a World Cup punctuated by upset results and shocks, the rugby public should be getting used to the tense nature of each match – but this Cup just continues to deliver.
South Africa, with the loss to Japan still fresh in their minds, have overcome a tough Welsh outfit at Twickenham – but it took until the 75th minute for them to get the job done.
The Springboks ran out winners 23-19, with each team scoring one try a piece. In the battle of the boots, Handre Pollard just edged Dan Biggar to push South Africa towards the semi finals.
BRAVE BOKS: a last-minute try from Fourie du Preez steals the match & books #RSA’s place in the last four of #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/rQoUn1RFp4
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 17, 2015
The Welsh held on gallantly, but the impact of their horrid injury toll and the energy they expended in last week’s narrow loss to the Wallabies proved to be too much as Du Preez snuck over the line with just four minutes remaining.
The result also keeps alive the possibility of an all southern hemisphere semi finals series.
Schalk Burger took out the man of the match award with a vintage performance, but it was Duane Vermuelen who won the battle for best on ground on Twitter, with his crucial flick pass setting up Du Preez for the match winner.
While it was elation for South Africa, it was broken hearts for Wales who have continued to surprise at this event.
The Welsh have started each of their matches at this World Cup with a flurry and did the same today, throwing the ball around and indicating their attacking intent.
With the kickoff at Twickenham, the business end of the World Cup was underway. Sorry England, sorry Japan – pub trivia answers though you might be – it was now time for the big guns.
South Africa opened the match with a couple of penalties to Handre Pollard to lead 6-0 after 12 minutes, somewhat halting the Welsh momentum. Wales got one back through Dan Biggar, then Pollard followed suit before the game opened up through a try to Davis after some great lead-up work.
The try – a brilliant chip, chase, regather and pass – from Biggar to Davis gave the Springboks a hint that the men in red were here to attack. From then the teams jostled for position and traded penalties – all up until the match-winning try.
You’ve just heard it’s the #RWC2015 quarter finals weekend? pic.twitter.com/4wiD8R4h3p
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 17, 2015
Wales courage in the face of their mounting casualty ward became one of the better narratives of the World Cup. The Dragons booted the English out of the tournament and only narrowly lost to the Wallabies after failing to cross the Great Wall of Australia – all while being more than Half a Penny short of the entry fee. And as the tournament went on and as red jersey after red jersey hit the turf, Sam Warburton’s boys managed to soldier on.
The win against England was seen by some as their World Cup final. Whatever happened from then on didn’t matter As Long As We Beat the English. But they dug deep and found what they needed when they needed it, even beating a Fijian team that they look to have no right to beat.
But against the South Africans – whose defeat to Japan quickly evaporated with their next three wins to top their pool – the Welsh fairytale came to an end, but not without a spirited fight.
The win gets South Africa through to the semi finals, where they will take on New Zealand, who thrashed the French and reaffirmed their status as tournament favourite.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.