All-British final dashed as Springboks end Wales campaign

Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash

South Africa were triumphant in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals by defeating Wales 16-19.

It looked as if additional time might be the outcome, drawing 16-16 as the game reached the last ten minutes. Then fly-half Hanre Pollard broke the deadlock when he booted over a late penalty in the 76th minute, securing the victory at the International Stadium Yokohama.

They will now go on to face England on Saturday 2 November at 09:00 (GMT) in Yokohama, Japan.

South Africa have a perfect success rate in world cup finals, which has already been tested against England in 2007 – beating them 6-15. The Springboks also won on home turf in 1995.

England have reached the final three times before this world cup, and despite being runners-up in 1991 and 2007, 2003 saw them lift the trophy after Johnny Wilkinson’s iconic drop-goal.

Warren Gatlin will coach his last game for Wales when they play New Zealand for third place on Friday.

Words: Dan Branston Photo: Photo by Hanson Lu, Unsplash

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