October 15, 2023, will forever be etched in rugby lore as the day the sport witnessed one of its most thrilling contests in decades. Just when fans thought they had seen the match of the decade between Ireland and the All Blacks, France and South Africa delivered a spectacle that eclipsed it, stirring the soul of rugby and shaking the foundations of the sport's laws.
At the heart of Paris, in the rugby cathedral known as Stade de France, the hosts clashed with the defending champions in a titanic struggle that saw emotions and intensity hit the roof. France, powered by a returning Antoine Dupont, looked formidable. Yet, the Boks, ever the underdogs, thrived under pressure. The game swung like a pendulum, with each team landing blows that resonated around the world.
The match was marred by controversy and pivotal moments, such as Eben Etzebeth's debated intervention that turned the tide, and Cheslin Kolbe's chargedown, which remains a topic of law reinterpretation even years later. The intensity didn't drop, as demonstrated when Etzebeth powered through for a critical try late in the game, and Faf de Klerk sealed the deal, sending the ball into the stands as the final whistle blew, crushing French hearts but keeping South African dreams alive.
"What did you think from the outside? It’s hard to say because there’s a lot of disappointment and frustration. We want to see the images again – which will give us even more disappointment and even more frustration – but I think some clear and obvious things weren’t whistled,"
lamented Dupont post-match, highlighting the refereeing that possibly cost them the game.
Coach Fabien Galthie expressed his frustration but chose to focus on his team's resilience, "
He’s [referee Ben O’Keeffe] not on his own. The TMO and the referees have time to review the images like us and have the right to officiate. I ask my players to be brave at times like this because I understand their frustration. But I won’t comment on it personally."
In contrast, Springboks' captain Siya Kolisi praised the match's spectacle and the spirit in which it was played, "
It was an amazing game, it was tough, physically it flowed. The way the two teams played outshines everything else. It was an amazing atmosphere."
He acknowledged Dupont’s valor and the French crowd’s passion which made the World Cup special.
The aftermath of the game was bitter for the French, with some targeting Bok scrum-half Cobus Reinach and referee O’Keeffe, reflecting the high stakes and raw emotions tied to such epic encounters. This game not only entertained but also led to significant changes in rugby laws, proving its lasting impact on the sport.
As these two titans prepare to clash again, the rugby world holds its breath, hoping for another epic that matches the intensity and drama of that unforgettable day in October 2023.
2,193 posts
October 15, 2023, will forever be etched in rugby lore as the day the sport witnessed one of its most thrilling contests in decades. Just when fans thought they had seen the match of the decade between Ireland and the All Blacks, France and South Africa delivered a spectacle that eclipsed it, stirring the soul of rugby and shaking the foundations of the sport's laws.
At the heart of Paris, in the rugby cathedral known as Stade de France, the hosts clashed with the defending champions in a titanic struggle that saw emotions and intensity hit the roof. France, powered by a returning Antoine Dupont, looked formidable. Yet, the Boks, ever the underdogs, thrived under pressure. The game swung like a pendulum, with each team landing blows that resonated around the world.
The match was marred by controversy and pivotal moments, such as Eben Etzebeth's debated intervention that turned the tide, and Cheslin Kolbe's chargedown, which remains a topic of law reinterpretation even years later. The intensity didn't drop, as demonstrated when Etzebeth powered through for a critical try late in the game, and Faf de Klerk sealed the deal, sending the ball into the stands as the final whistle blew, crushing French hearts but keeping South African dreams alive.
"What did you think from the outside? It’s hard to say because there’s a lot of disappointment and frustration. We want to see the images again – which will give us even more disappointment and even more frustration – but I think some clear and obvious things weren’t whistled,"
lamented Dupont post-match, highlighting the refereeing that possibly cost them the game.Coach Fabien Galthie expressed his frustration but chose to focus on his team's resilience, "
He’s [referee Ben O’Keeffe] not on his own. The TMO and the referees have time to review the images like us and have the right to officiate. I ask my players to be brave at times like this because I understand their frustration. But I won’t comment on it personally."
In contrast, Springboks' captain Siya Kolisi praised the match's spectacle and the spirit in which it was played, "
It was an amazing game, it was tough, physically it flowed. The way the two teams played outshines everything else. It was an amazing atmosphere."
He acknowledged Dupont’s valor and the French crowd’s passion which made the World Cup special.The aftermath of the game was bitter for the French, with some targeting Bok scrum-half Cobus Reinach and referee O’Keeffe, reflecting the high stakes and raw emotions tied to such epic encounters. This game not only entertained but also led to significant changes in rugby laws, proving its lasting impact on the sport.
As these two titans prepare to clash again, the rugby world holds its breath, hoping for another epic that matches the intensity and drama of that unforgettable day in October 2023.