RWC South Africa out in the quarter finals, a page has been turned

: Monday, 10 October 2011 05:57

If the match was not very spectacular, it was nevertheless particularly intense, rich in fight and suspense.Beaten 11 to 9 by Australia, South Africa, title holder, leaves the Rugby World Cup in the quarter finals.

A defeat with an incredible scenario, where the experience of the South Africans will not have been sufficient opposite the Australian abnegation.

By lining up the most experienced team in rugby history, with 836 selections altogether, the South African selector Peter de Villiers was surely not expecting such a disappointment:

The Boks who dominated in every area of the game (territorial domination close to 80 per cent) collided with an Australian defence characterised by its discipline.

For 70 minutes the Australians had to submit, and yet:

11th minute: an Australian try (non-converted) and a drop at the 18th: 8 to 0.

Just before half time, at the 38th minute, 3 points for the South Africans who finally started to score.

Back from the changing rooms, a drop and a penalty kick allow the Boks to lead for the first time in the match: 9 to 8.

72nd minute, the South African foul will sound the knell, the penalty kicked by O'Connor resounded like thunderbolt in Wellington: 9 to 11.

Invigorated, the Australians will no longer let go of anything.

South Africa loses its title in the quarter finals, a first in the World Cup, since….Australia in 95.

Immediate consequences of this elimination:

A few minutes later, the South African selector Peter de Villiers announced that he was leaving his post: "There is a time when one must go. I think that the journey is over for me. It was incredible and I am proud to have been able to help my country».

Three years ago, he had taken over from Jake White, world champion coach in 2007, and leaves the scene with a list of achievements, the 2009 Tri-Nations and a result of 30 victories for 20 defeats.

At the same time, its Captain John Smit and Vice-captain Victor Matfield, announced that they were renouncing the national team: "It is a tragic way to finish. I am devastated. It is the end of a chapter. I am very proud to have been a Springbok", declared Smit, "It has been a great journey for most of the boys. Many will carry on. For a few among us, it is the end ", declared Matfield, 34 years old, second most capped Springbok in history (110 caps) "It has been eight-nine incredible years together", he concluded.

A page has been well and truly turned on this Sunday in Wellington, the end of a generation among the Boks.

The World Cup goes on, in the semi-finals France will play against Wales (15 October) and Australia will meet up again with the All Blacks (16 October).

G.Fontana

Translated by Nelly Orvain