The Springboks have left a lifelong ‘scar’ on France after their quarter-final victory, according to coach Fabien Galthie.
The Springboks eliminated home nation France from the competition with a stunning 29-28 victory in the quarterfinals of what was unquestionably one of the most exciting matches of the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks’ incredible performance put them on the route to ultimate World Cup success.
However, it was anguish and sadness for France, as coach Fabien Galthie acknowledged, saying it had left a “scar that will stay with us for life.”
“We went through a period of mourning,” Galthie remarked. Galthie has not talked to the media since the evening of the October 15 setback. “After four years of arduous work, four years of successful work with eighty percent
victories and all of those stats.
“Becoming world champions was the only goal we had in mind. No one else existed. If we had lost by one point in the semifinal, our disappointment would have been the same. If we had lost by one point in the championship game, the disappointment would have remained the same.
The week that we would have had extra makes a difference. We’ve been working toward these moments for the past four years, so there’s been a significant difference. So, there is a great deal of disappointment.
THE SPRINGBOKS FINISH THE YEAR AS THE NO 1 TEAM IN THE WORLD
New Zealand’s 12-11 defeat in the final of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 cost the All Blacks second place in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.
With a new rating of 89.80 points, Ian Foster’s team will move up to take the position of Ireland, who started the weekend in third place. The team is expected to lose 1.76 points.
With an enhanced rating of 94.54 points, South Africa maintains its top spot but gains 1.75 points more than before.
England narrowly trails France by two points in the top four, having acquired about the same number of points after their 26-23 victory over Argentina in the bronze final.
With a lower rating of 80.68 points, Argentina will stay in seventh position, just ahead of Wales.
