Forum Topic

Well Played South Africa

So it wasn't to be after all. Can't have any complaints though and hearing about the back stories of some of the South African team it was some compensation to know that the winners really deserved it.

Mark Evans ● 2194d2 Comments

South Africa strangled Japan and then Wales so England must have know what was coming. In that way they couldn't get going and so were strangled. The stats about Wales failing to make any real ground were quite remarkable. Wales kept in the game and could have won it because of discipline. England lacked the control to do it but they will get better. When you compare to 2003 that was a team that was past it's best but had many captains in the team and the knowhow and control made them an incredible team. But after beating the All Blacks this team lacked that control to pick themselves up for the next challenge.

Peter Chadburn ● 2192d

The back-stories were very moving.That said, England were simply out-bossed by a side determined to slow the game (strewth it was a bore-fest compared to earlier games) to stop England playing. South Africa dominated play in the middle of the pitch and gave Englands forwards no space to breath let alone pas the ball.The handling errors and lack of discipline in the scrum compounded England's problems.You simply cannot step-out when the opposition are trying to wheel the scrum as the five penalties awarded against England in the first six scrums proved.Well played South Africa,

N V Brooks ● 2194d