Despite their exotic attire, the Springboks debuted their most recognizable skin in the defense of their World Cup title this Sunday in Marseille. Those of his granite organization, the muscles of his huge forwards, and some shadows too. Efficiency in selection, regardless of aesthetic winks that don’t score points. South Africa lost to Scotland (18-3) with no frills but with a defense without cracks, the puzzle that rugby’s clever minds are trying to solve against time.
The Springboks’ traditional green and gold stayed in the closet, giving way to the teal and white hued Discord shirt. The exotic stayed in the clothes because the South Africans used their medicine, which was as predictable as it was difficult to combat. Its striker is the boxer, who does not strive to eliminate the opponent, but to exhaust him hopelessly. They took no chances, moving the ball away from their back line, the impact of their big boys hurt Scotland’s ribs. Literally because Fin Russell was breathing heavily after accidentally knocking Arendse over with it. A challenge with tackles on the edge of the regulations and tense faces. The referee, Angus Gardner, called a break midway through the first half to allow the captains to defuse hostilities after some football scuffles.
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The action took place a short distance away, light years from the test areas, with a marker expecting to smile at a kick at the sticks. South Africa dominated because there was more play on the opposition field, and added to that when Scotland defended like cats, taking actions such as a voluntary slap from Russell to stop play. But the Cardo XV held on and exchanged one of their few visits to South African soil with a projectile from Russell that made it a close duel at half-time (6-3).
But the Scottish rib began to creak in the dressing room. The South African striker struck for the first time on the edge of play and her conductor, scrum-half Faf De Klerk, released the ball in a frantic rhythm. This is how the platform was created that brought Damian de Allende into the market zone. The party wasn’t complete as Manie Libbok missed an easy conversion and her third kick missed the sticks. One of the Shadows: A World Cup is not the best time to doubt a kicker.
But Libbok redeemed himself and proved that he doesn’t just wear the number ten because of the sniper scope. The test forced Scotland to open up the field and the fly-half took advantage of a poor pullback to execute a masterful kick without looking, like it was basketball. Meeting him was Arendse, the very fast winger from Rugby Sevens, who turned on his propellers and added his 12th try in just a year. After helping Australia win the treble in July, he is one of the tournament’s top scorers. His assistant gave the kicker role to De Klerk, who scored the twelfth point in just four minutes.
An impossible blow for Scotland, orphan of Stuart Hogg, the difference player of the last decade, who opened up defenses and surprised with an early retreat. With the work done, South Africa rested on their strength and wasted no energy in the search for a bonus point for scoring four tries. The team with the most wins in World Cup history – it has the same titles as New Zealand, three, although it did not contest the first two due to apartheid – inertia claimed its 36th win in 43 games.
Sunday began in Toulouse with Japan’s 42-12 win over Chile, who saw off the 2019 quarter-finalists in the first half in their World Cup debut. The finale will be Wales and Fiji in Bordeaux from 9pm in a clash to qualify for the quarter-finals of Group C.
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