Cheslin Kolbe of the Springboks contests Thomas Ramos’ conversion kick during the quarterfinal round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Sunday night in Saint-Denis, Paris.
Gonzalez Fuentes/Reuter’s
Chasing after lost causes is the kind of pursuit that has helped the Springboks stand out.
The lone reason the Springboks were unsuccessful in their 29-28 victory against France in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal was Cheslin Kolbe’s interference with Thomas Ramos’ attempted conversion. However, it also reveals something about a worldview that raises doubts about actions that could otherwise be accepted as normal.
Jonsson Workwear
In actuality, France was counterpunching following the corner goal by their excellent hooker Peato Mauvaka, and when the perfect place-kicker Ramos placed the ball on the kicking tee, there was a general assumption that he would make another kick.
But Kolbe had other plans. Ramos had been a teammate of his for six years at Toulouse, where he had frequent access to the fullback’s kicking routines.
Ramos started to move toward the ball as Kolbe sprinted out of his goal area.
Kolbe’s forearms were struck by the French fullback, demonstrating how quickly the winger had made up ground on the kicker.
When a player kicks, Kolbe claimed that one “tends to pick up cues of certain players and their processes.” “I believe it was beneficial, and I followed the law and the letter of the letter by being both onside and behind the line.
“I simply got out there and raced as quickly as I could to try to deflect the kick and provide some pressure. Although I was certain that I was onside, I was praying that they wouldn’t refer the kick.
During the most recent World Cup, one of the Boks’ greatest players discussed the sense of obligation he feels when donning the Green and Gold.
“You want to give it all you’ve got when you put on the jersey and step onto the field; you don’t want to look back.” Sincerely, it’s not about me; yet, it’s amazing that it succeeded. Everything works for the team.
“Some players went above and above to help the team, and I was lucky to be in a position to help get the charge-down.
“It was in the defense, it was in the composure in specific game situations, and it was in winning certain mini-battles. We had to be vigilant about our alternatives both inside and outdoors while also working together to hunt both in defense and offense.
It always comes down to who takes advantage of the opportunity in a game like this. We did really well considering we had a few out there. He said, implying that the Boks still had some fight left in them, “We could’ve been better.”
The two squandered points by Ramos came back to bite France at the death. They were the side who had the bulk of the possession but did not make meaningful impact in the second half.”
The Boks are expected to announce their line-up for Saturday’s semifinal against England at Stade de France (kickoff 9pm) on Thursday.
