For us rugby lovers, the apex weekend has arrived! World cup final in Paris. The last time the Springboks played a world cup final in Paris they won it.
Here they are again. This time they will take on old foe New Zealand All Blacks in what can only be termed “The final the world deserves”.
The two best teams in the world fighting it out for the title of best. I said the last time the Boks played a final in Paris they won it. Here’s another omen, in their previous only other final, South Africa and the Madiba Magic emerged victorious. That same magic and much more will be required this weekend.
What makes this game so fascinating is that it’s a battle of playing styles. The All Blacks have long been admired for their expansive flair laden rugby. Since I started watching rugby they’ve had the kinds of teams capable of scoring tries a plenty in the backline and even forwards with advanced skills sets.
Zinzan Brooke was the first forward I ever saw kick a drop goal. While more recently Ardie Savea, Scott Barett and Shannon Frazell have touches deft enough to be in the backline. It’s easy on the eye and compelling viewing.
The Boks are more brutish in nature. Strong set pieces, accurate defensive patterns, and Herculean carries. The Boks game is made of suffocation on defence and an efficient counter attack on offense. It’s as compelling for the rugby purist if a little less glamorous.
The rush defence which the Boks have employed to perfection in the tenure of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber is one of the most effective ever.
They swarm opposition attacks making it exceptionally difficult to score against them. In a recent interview coach Nienaber clarified the Bok management are less worried about first time tackles, more concerned that an effective tackle is completed by at least one player with another player available quick enough to “jackel” (stealing the ball). It’s a sight to behold.
Since the ’95 World Cup and Jonah Lomu bursting on to the scene, I’ve always been somewhat enamoured by the All Blacks. Some of my favourite players ever are from the “land of the long white cloud”.
I loved Christian Cullen. He’s probably still my favourite backline player ever. I also held Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga and Alama Iremeia in high regard. Carlos Spencer was an absolute magician with a personality so big one couldn’t help but love him while Richie McCaw almost forces you to respect him.
For star power few have reached the dizzy heights of Dan Carter or Sonny Bill Williams. A devout Muslim who was also a world champion boxer. He made the chicken wing pass a normality in rugby and pretty much changed the trajectory with his constant offloading of the ball in a tackle. His combination play with centre partner Ma’a Nonu, another All Black legend, was mercurial!
If it sounds like I have a deep respect for the Springboks opponents on Saturday it’s because I do. They’re a great team, and their inclusionary vision in terms of how the Maoris and Pacific islanders have been integrated is exemplary.
Here’s a thing though, I love the Haka, but I don’t think the All Blacks should be allowed to do it before the match. I especially don’t think the opposition should have to stand 20m away in silence! There are few better images than the 95 world cup final Haka where 6’4, 100+kg Jonah Lomu ended his “Kamate” in 6’6, 120+kg Kobus Wieses face after the former Springbok lock had accepted the challenge posed by the All Blacks.
It added texture and drama to the final like nothing else! World Rugby’s assertion that the Haka ought to be respected, and the only way to do that is stand and watch it is patently incorrect! I wonder why there have been no appeals to it.
One of the best responses there has been to it was in Gqeberha some years ago where the crowd broke in to the loudest version of “ole ole” I’ve ever heard, almost managing to drown out the whole thing. It was brilliant. The crowd was later admonished by the rugby establishment but at least the fans accepted the challenge laid down.
The Springboks who are the current world champions will once again be led in to battle by captain fantastic Siyamthanda Kolisi. A Springbok legend who will undoubtedly want to bow out on a high note.
They aren’t saying it but for many in the Bok setup this tournament is a swansong. What better way to etch their name in rugby folklore than by being the first team to win the William Web Ellis cup four times and the second team (after New Zealand) to defend the cup! I’m nervous, but I’m also surprisingly assured. I have the Boks edging it by the slightest of margins. Either way, it will be a humdinger of a match and I will be shouting from minute 1 to minute 80! Thank you to café What for agreeing to host us with commentary for the game. We look forward to the hospitality!
