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PARIS – Four years after the Springboks’ scrum destroyed England and Eddie Jones’ World Cup hopes in Yokohama, the “Bomb Squad” has done it again to lead South Africa to another World Cup final.
Yet, just before the hour mark, England could smell victory and an unlikely place in the final.
As it turned out, with England packing down for a scrum on South Africa’s line, it proved to be the moment the wheels started to fall off for Steve Borthwick’s men as the ghosts of the past returned at the scrum.
But to get to that place, one must first scroll back a little over 10 minutes earlier.
The Springboks managed to overturn a 15-6 deficit to finish over the top of England at the Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Trailing 12-6, Ox Nche replaced Steven Kitshoff in the 49th minute and immediately the introduction of the loose-head prop changed the course of the Test.
Two minutes later and the Springboks finally enjoyed some ascendency at the scrum, as the defending world champions won against the feed. It almost led to a try, as with the turnover ball Handre Pollard kicked for Cheslin Kolbe, who also put the ball on the toe before Willie le Roux’s soccer kick ahead just went dead in goal.
The change in the wind saw Borthwick immediately turn to his bench, with Ellis Genge replacing veteran loose-head prop Joe Marler – who four years earlier was selected on the bench in a decision that Jones admitted he regretted.
Some brilliance from Owen Farrell saw England move nine points ahead.
His field goal saw both nations replace their tight-head props, with Kyle Sinckler replacing Dan Cole and South Africa’s Vincent Koch coming on for Frans Malherbe.
Soon after, England once again won the aerial battle, which allowed Farrell to put the ball on the toe and help win his side a scrum feed just short of South Africa’s five-metre line. Little did he know that his cheers would prove to be a false dawn.
After one scrum reset, New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe pinged England as Sinckler was beaten at the hit and hooker Jamie George stood up. It allowed South Africa to clear their own line and keep them afloat.
“Just old school, he popped him,” former Wallaby turned pundit Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport.
“The world’s easiest decision for a referee when you see Jamie George’s head come up and out of the contest.
“That was the match there for South Africa. If they concede points there, they’re done. And they certainly aren’t.”
Four minutes later, Sinckler was penalised for “binding down”.
South Africa celebrate during their semi-final win over England at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Then, in the 68th minute, came yet another pivotal moment as Genge was penalised for collapsing just short of halfway and Handre Pollard found touch seven metres out from the English line.
RG Snyman, who replaced Eben Etzebeth after 45 minutes, won the lineout and a phase later surged for the line and wriggled his body to score. Pollard added the extra points and suddenly South Africa were in striking distance after 70 minutes.
Despite the clock ticking down, the Springboks attempted to win another scrum penalty when Willie le Roux called a mark (after a step) and then opted for a scrum.
The Springboks didn’t get the intended result but they got the territory and soon after won the battle, as Freddie Steward, who had been brilliant under the high ball, attempted an up-and-under but didn’t get the intended distance on the kick and only managed to spill his own kick. The moment proved catastrophic.
Moments later, the Springboks had another scrum penalty as Genge was deemed to have dropped his “knee first and then angled in” as the scrum crabbed across the field.
Pollard did the rest, as the World Cup-winner banged over a long-range penalty to send the Springboks into the final, where they will play their southern hemisphere archrivals New Zealand.
Courtney Lawes, who had been immense for England, summed up where the game was won and lost.
“I think their set piece came through in the end, that is something they can very much rely on,” he said.
“Their bench definitely brought an impact onto the pitch. We knew that could be the case and we unfortunately didn’t deal with it well enough.”
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