'Our discipline was awful in first half' - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi
.jpg "Alex Mitchell of England kicks the ball upfield whilst under pressure from Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the World Cup semi-final")
Alex Mitchell of England kicks the ball upfield whilst under pressure from Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the World Cup semi-final
©Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi admitted that his side's indiscipline in the first half almost costed them the Rugby World Cup semi-final game against England.
The finalists of the 2019 World Cup showed great competitiveness at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday but it was South Africa eventually who got away with a thrilling 16-15 victory as they now face the All Blacks in the final of the competition.
England were in the lead for the majority of the game with Owen Farrell's kicking consistency put them 15-6 lead in the opening half but the South African bench especially Handre Pollard, Ox Nche and RG Snyman made the difference.
Their dominance in the scrum in the final quarter led to Snyman's try and the decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Pollard kicked a match-winning penalty goal as they edged away with a one-point victory to keep their hope of defending the title alive.
“England did so well in the kicking game, they outplayed us in that,” said Kolisi.
“Our discipline was awful in the first half, especially in the key areas where they could take the points. But I thought we fought back in the second half, we showed who we are and what we can do with a full 23.”
“It’s honestly all the hard work we have put in came off. It was really ugly today but that is what champions are made of. Credit to England, they have worked hard.”
“They were written off before the World Cup. Coach Steve [Borthwick] and Owen [Farrell] and the team pulled themselves together and showed who they are. They are not a team you take lightly, all credit to them for being in the semi-final today.”
