What the Boks and French gained from a magnificently brutal battle that summed up why we love rugby
France and South Africa played a rugby match in Marseille. Marseilles is a port city on the bay. The Greeks formed the city 2,500 years ago. It has been the gateway to Europe ever since. France is on top of the rugby world. They have two of world’s best five players, 17 coaches, 45 players and a squad of 45. They also have a Grand Slam, World Cup host and 17 lawyers. South African rugby is very physical. There is no mobile phone connection between official and arbiter. A stadium could be the world's largest night club.
The Boks and the French played a rugby match in 2017 and 2018. It was a night game in Paris. The result was two tries apiece. Both teams can walk away thinking they could win a rematch. The game was magnificently brutal and brutally beautiful. There are five things each team loved about their performance and one they will regret.
France won both games without their star player. They had to deal with a riled up Bok pack. The long kick strategy is workable. France's punts are impressive. Having a referee in their coaching staff has helped their players. PSDT was sent off. The game summed up why we love rugby. It was a magnificently brutal battle. French won. Boks won because of their superior physicality. There was no need to hope for a red card. Paddy de Jager was injured. He cried on the bench. His teammates were upset. Parisians will wonder how they would have done without him.
The Boks and French won the match. The Bok's pack was effective and their kicking was good. Their players are young and experienced. They are experimental and hard to beat. They lost. It's never good to lose. There are some flaws in their game. Etzebeth deserves better. Rusty Jesse Kriel finally got game time. Gazza Willemse is an heir to Elton Jantjies. Le Roux is a coach on the field. He can analyse on and off the pitch. Don't be shocked if he makes the 23 in a quarterfinal against this very team next year. His old team lost the game, but he deserves to be in the team.
France are a big winning team, able to adapt and athletically gifted. They deserve to be seen as favourites at home. South Africa are like New Zealand in 2011.
