No Try for Habana, Against Argentina…as South Africa Wins Bronze
So close and yet so far. South Africa took bronze tonight in the Rugby World Cup (RWC). A mighty achievement, better than dreamed of after that Japan loss, but not quite the Finals that the Springboks and their fans had hoped for. And sadly, no world-breaking try for Bryan Habana. The Springboks beat Argentina at Olympic Stadium […]
So close and yet so far. South Africa took bronze tonight in the Rugby World Cup (RWC). A mighty achievement, better than dreamed of after that Japan loss, but not quite the Finals that the Springboks and their fans had hoped for. And sadly, no world-breaking try for Bryan Habana.
The Springboks beat Argentina at Olympic Stadium with a score of 24-13.
Although Bryan Habana tried so desperately hard to score a record-breaking try – and there was a sense that the team had been prepped to help set it up for him – the pressure was too intense, and with at least one very close – almost, almost – try, it was not to be. Habana remains tied with former New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu with a record 15 RWC tries.
Unfortunately Heyneke Meyer chose to replace Habana 13 minutes before the final whistle, rather than allowing him to stay on the field and keep trying until the last minute!
Perhaps Meyer had a good reason which will be revealed within the next 24 hours, but for now – many fans are outraged (especially since even World Rugby had a Twitter poll going on whether Habana would score or not, showing just how many people were watching and waiting for that moment).
There has also been an outcry over the short three minutes that Rudy Paige was given on the field, with his name now trending on Twitter in South Africa.
JP Pietersen and Eben Etzebeth scored the tries for the Springboks and Handre Pollard made up the rest of the score with penalty kicks, scoring a whopping total of 92 points in this RWC (second only to top scorer Nicolas Sanchez).
The crowds cheered for Habana as he left the field, as well as for Victor Matfield who ends his Springbok career with 127 caps, and for Schalk Burger who received a standing ovation (and left the field twice!).
Some Highlights
Bryan Habana – Fingertips away from making history…
Fingertips away from #RWC history… ?#RSAvARG pic.twitter.com/r8EWRVZGJq
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 30, 2015
Bryana Habana – So near, yet so far…
SO NEAR, YET SO FAR: @BryanHabana just misses out on surpassing the great @JONAHTALILOMU‘s record for #RWC tries pic.twitter.com/egeR4NqREy — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 30, 2015
Victor Matfield leaves the field…
There goes a legend. @VictorMatfield finishes his Springboks career on 127 caps. Farewell Victor! #RSAvARG https://t.co/xT9JinHMYT
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 30, 2015
Schalk Burger leaves the field…
Schalk Burger. Take a bow. https://t.co/OqJfJpXhcT — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 30, 2015
Respect between RSA and Argentina
Total respect between #RSA and #ARG after 80 minutes in the Bronze Final. #RSAvARG #RWC2015 https://t.co/mEGMGPNUqI
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 30, 2015
#RSAvARG #RWC2015