France v Springboks: The greatest game in a decade that changed laws, led to brutal backlash and crushed a nation’s hearts
After the match that took place just 24 hours earlier was given the same designation, the rugby world was presented to the best game in decades on October 15, 2023. Only two of the top four teams in the tournament advanced into the quarterfinals due to the horror of an excessively early Rugby World Cup draw that was based on out-of-date rankings. Only South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, and the hosts, France, would advance past the pool rounds in the hopes of winning the William Webb Ellis Cup.
South Africa needed a response, and they got one when Kurt-Lee Arendse raced off to hammer home the Boks’ reply after Etzebeth forced a mistake from Les Bleus’ catchers following a box kick by Cobus Reinach, letting the ball run loose. Damian de Allende grabbed the loose ball following Cameron Woki’s slip, dummied Dupont, and then finished off the scoring himself a phase later. Manie Libbok leveled the score and set up the goal that gave South Africa the lead.
With both teams giving it their all in the first twenty minutes, there was no indication that the action would slow down. Dupont quickly took a tap penalty and threw a precise pass to Peato Mauvaka, who scored France’s second goal, making the scoreboard read France 12-12 South Africa with the conversion to follow.
Controversial charge down
It was obvious that the match would be decided by the narrowest of margins, the closest of calls, and a little bit of luck. Some of the Boks’ luck was generated by “chasing lost causes,” as demonstrated by Cheslin Kolbe’s crazy chargedown of Ramos’ conversion attempt of Mauvaka’s try. The question of whether or not the Bok flyer went early is still up for debate.
Law discussion: Was Cheslin Kolbe’s charge down in the World Cup legal?
Another minor victory that, in the end, was crucial. As the Boks took advantage of a turnover, Kolbe was right in the middle of things once more. Etzebeth smashed the ball out of Dupont’s hands, and De Allende caught it before it was thrown to Jesse Kriel, who saw the opening in the backfield and skillfully grubbered for the speedster to latch onto, which he did, scoring South Africa’s third try.
The chaos persisted as South Africa used a fresh strategy, choosing a scrum instead of a long kick from France and having Damian Willemse call a mark in his own 22. The Springboks then disclosed that the ruse was to make the French pack put in a little more effort. It was an audacious move that eventually paid off, but World Rugby swiftly banned it. The scrum option following a free-kick was eliminated along with the game’s regulatory body’s decision to fix the “Dupont Law” loophole, which would force players to retreat during kicking fights.
As the teams continued to trade blows, Baille scored his second goal for Les Bleus in the 30th minute. Before halftime, Ramos gave Les Bleus a three-point advantage, and Etzebeth, who had probably escaped punishment for his involvement on his tryline, would go to the sin bin for a head-on-head collision. The shooter increased that lead in the 53rd minute, and although the second half was played at the same frantic speed as the first, it was much more of an arm wrestling.
finish.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, France would reduce the margin to just one point after Handre Pollard scored a penalty kick and a conversion, which Kwagga Smith controversially won. Ramos examined each post. Faf de Klerk snatched the ball from Reda Wardi’s grasp as time ran out, depriving France of the chance to score the game-winning goal.
