The cheat sheet for New Zealand – South Africa (11-12), World Cup final: the bad guys won

Among the statistics illustrating the eternal regrets that will accompany the All Blacks, that of the number of defenders beaten figures prominently (36 to 13). Ian Foster’s men, barely less comfortable than since the start of the competition on the sidelines (91% success, compared to 97% before this final) lived up to their reputation, at least in total rugby that they tried to practice. True to themselves. Like the Springboks.

Pieter-Steph du Toit contemplates his work from the roof of the world. The South African number 7 made 28 tackles this Saturday evening. At least seven more than any other player. Its opener, Handré Pollard, was the metronome hoped for by the Boks management, while the restless back Damian Willemse (three “offloads”) showed reluctance in the second period.

On the New Zealand side, Mark Telea escaped nine opponents (match record) and played a decisive role in the only try of the match. Beauden Barrett scored this famous try, but he missed several receptions and was not very inspired in his kicking game. His brother Jordie was huge. However, he misses the penalty for winning, about fifty meters off-center.

The two captains, Sam Cane (red, in the 27th minute) and Siya Kolisi (yellow, in the 45th) received two of the four cards of the match, on uncontrolled tackles, with contact at the level of the face.

In the third minute of the match, Bongi Mbonambi came off injured, after an illegal clearance by Shannon Frizell. The South African hooker was replaced by Deon Fourie, a versatile third row, which disrupted the Boks’ touch (6 balls kept in 10 throws).

The New Zealand flanker took a yellow which the “bunker” did not transform into red. We felt that this action could already tip the scales one way or the other. The scenario of the part was impacted in various ways but ultimately it did not “change” so early, remaining imbued with great dramaturgy.

A point. A tiny dot. Thrice. South Africa won each of its final phase duels by one unit: 29-28 in the quarter against France, 16-15 in the half against England and, therefore, 12-11 in the final this Saturday against the Blacks.

They are the perfect villains. In every sense of the term. For the supporters of the Blues, who were still numerous in the aisles of the Stade de France to watch with heavy hearts the final match of “their” World Cup, the Springboks are the bad guys. English and New Zealanders must see them more or less the same way.

Naughty, many will add that the reigning double world champions are also naughty by their play. Not very exciting in the quarter and final, frankly off-putting in the half, the Boks’ production is certainly not characterized by its brilliance. But rugby does not stop at big flights and its plurality is also its strength.

Whether you love to hate them or you just hate them, South Africans began a second term on this cool Parisian evening. Bad guys often lose in fiction but don’t start at such a disadvantage in reality. This Saturday, only the All Blacks lost.