Rugby World Cup 2019: South Africa imposes itself in a contest until the end (19-16)

The Springboks beat Wales and go to the final after a game with very low and not very spectacular rhythms, which always remains closed in the score

YOKOHAMA – Starting game with rather slow rhythms, with the two teams studying each other often challenging each other on the aerial game.
We have to wait for the 14 'to see the scoresheet unlock. The Welsh defense does not roll off the tackle and thanks to Pollard's precise footing, South Africa moves forward by 3.

Immediate opportunity to respond to Wales in the 17th minute, when the South African defense gets caught offside by Garces. The number 10 Welsh Dan Biggar does not miss the appointment with the poles and the result returns in parity, 3 to 3.

At 20 'the green scrum gains a punishment in favor, Pollard still goes for the poles for the new advantage, 6 to 3.

The game struggles to take off, both teams do not seem to want to take too many risks. South Africa, as usual, relies heavily on the use of up & under, exploited to bring pressure and gain ground, while the Welsh dare a little more offshore where they are able to create some sporadic opportunities.

At 26 ′ South Africa relies on its proven rolling maul. Safe touche on Etzebeth and everyone inside. The maul is advancing well and the South Africans are looking for punishment, but the Welshs do not grant fouls and the maul collapses by itself.

At 34 ′ it is still Pollard who has the opportunity to stretch and make no mistake. Lateral break-in entry, 9 to 3 for the Boks.

Wales tries to give his game some rhythm in the first-half final, while Biggar exploits an advantage he tries a cross-kick to the wing for North that doesn't get there due to a muscle problem during the shot. We then return to the previous advantage and Biggar then goes for the stakes, 9 to 6.

First time very slow and also seasoned with a good number of mistakes in the hand that helped to lower the pace even more. The absences on one side of the electric Cheslin Kolbe and on the other of Liam Williams, two players able to create progress and break the opposing line, are noted.

At 45 ′ Wales always equalized with Biggar's foot, consequently to a ruck foul, 9 to 9.

In this start of recovery, South Africa makes too many handling errors, in particular with Faf de Klerk and Le Roux who commit two trivial errors in reception, keeping the Welsh pressure high.

At 52 ′ Erasmus tries to mix the cards a little and put even more centimeters in the field by removing Etzebeth for RG Snyman.

The Bokke are now fiercely attacking, the newly entered Snyman immediately becomes the protagonist with 2 powerful charges, the team advances and then thinks about the most powerful trocar of the green battery, De allende to go to heavy marking, carrying around well 3 defenders in red. Pollard does not miss the poles and goes on 16 to 9, break distance.

At 58 ′ also Gatland tries a remix, outside Biggar inside Patchell. For South Africa in Mostert for De Jager.

Wales settles on the South African 5-meter line for 3 minutes and continues to percussion on a very compact green defense. The Welshs earn a punctual square 5 meters from the goal but they ask for scrum, the public at the Yokoama International Stadium goes crazy. Choice that is rewarded, Wales goes into the goal with Josh Adams in the first phase, thanks to a third South African line too slow to break away from the fray. Halfpenny makes no mistake at the foot and at 64 ′ the situation is again parity.

South Africa still tries the 68 ′ exchange card with Francoise Steyn and Francoise Louw respectively for Le Rou and captain Kolisi.

at 73 ′ Patchel tries a masterstroke that could have mentally challenged the Boks 7 minutes from the end, drop, which however goes far to the left of the poles.

At 75 ′ it is instead South Africa to move forward, keeping Welsh on the ground, 19 to 16 with Pollard's foot.

At 79 ′ the Boks impose themselves in melee and kick it in touche for the final whistle.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Available: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin

Markers of Wales:

Destinations: Josh Adams (64 ′)
Transformations: Leigh Halfpenny (65 ′)
Punishment: Dan Biggar (17 ′, 39 ′, 45 ′)
Drop:

cards:

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager , 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Available: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Francois Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn

South African markers:

Destinations: Damian De Allende (56 ′)
Transformations: andre Pollard (57 ′)
Punishment: Handre Pollard (14 ′, 20 ′, 34 ′, 75 ′)
Drop:

cards:

Referee: Jerome Garces (France)

Roberto Neri