Yokohama (Japan) (AFP)
South Africa, winner of Wales (19-16) Sunday in the semi-final, will face England in the final of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday, November 2 in Yokohama.
The final of this final is identical to that of the 2007 edition, where the Springboks had won their second title at the expense of the English (15-6).
Twelve years later, the South Africans, also crowned in 1995, sign their return to the final after a locked match, punctuated by many mistakes.
"It was really a scary match, we had lost our last four games against them, and the game would have turned out for them, I respect them so much and their coach, I think we were a bit lucky," he said. Rassie Erasmus, the South African coach.
Both teams were tied (16-16) five minutes from the end, when scorer Handré Pollard offered his team a penalty of 35 yards on the left of the Welsh posts.
Pollard scored 14 of his team's nineteen points, with Damian De Allende's only try, 57, while winger Josh Adams scored the only Welsh test (65).
England qualified Saturday for the final by beating the All Blacks, double holders of the title (19-7).
The match for 3rd place will oppose the Welsh to New Zealanders Friday, November 1st.
"We are losing a bit but maybe we'll have another chance (to make it to the finals) It was not our day, but I'm still proud to put on this jersey and represent everyone in this stadium said Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones, on the verge of tears, at the final whistle.
Already beaten in the semi-finals in 1987 (against the All Blacks 49-6) and 2011 (against France 9-8), the Welsh let slip a third opportunity to climb into the final of the World Cup.
Even before the match for third place, this match marks the end of the adventure for the New Zealand coach of Wales, Warren Gatland who dreamed of hoisting his team in the final before leaving the position he holds since 2008 .
© 2019 AFP