Former Springbok tourist Owen Nkumane and former Bok head coach Nick Mallett summed up exactly how every Irish and Springbok Rugby fan is feeling following the team’s recently concluded two-test series.
It ended in a stalemate as Ireland secured an incredible last-minute win in Durban courtesy of a late Ciaran Frawley drop goal to ensure that Andy Farrell’s side avenged their loss in the first test in Pretoria.
In years gone by, the two sides would be set to collide for a third test, which would decide the series, as was the case the last time Ireland toured South Africa in 2016. Thus, with so little to choose between the two sides, fans have been crying out for a third test to decide who wins the series.
Unfortunately, a decider will not be played in 2024 as the November International schedule is already set in stone, meaning the two sides will need to wait until at least next year to renew their rivalry.
Discussing lack of a decider, Nkumane decided to play devil’s advocate by suggesting there was one possibility to get the series done and dusted.
“We are going to have the liberty of having a look at the end of your tour calendar.
“Scotland, 10th of November, we’ve got England, 16th of November, Wales, 23rd of November, but the 29th of November is open.
“If we’re looking for a decider, I think the whole rugby public globally would be keen to see these two teams smash each other by the end of this year.” He said.
In response Mallet explained just why this is not going to happen, “Yeah, it’s not going to happen.” He said before continuing, “It’s going to be three games at the end (end of year tour) it’s been all pre-planned by World Rugby.”
Discussing the concluded pair of matches, Mallet was left with a strange sense of being unsure how to sum up the two brutal clashes.
“It’s just a strange feeling, isn’t it? For a drop goal.
“You don’t feel you’ve done anything wrong, you know you’re there to tackle and suddenly this ball gets kicked over your head and you know you are in the lap of the gods, you know that thing goes through the post.
“You’re feeling miserable, so what’s interesting is we won three games at that World Cup by one point, by one point, and they’ve just won this one by one point.”
Having referenced the Rugby World Cup, where the Springboks won all three of their knockout fixtures by a lone point, Mallett said he now feels how French, English and New Zealand fans felt at the conclusion of the tournament in France.
“We’re suddenly sitting in the position where we’re thinking, god, if only this and if only that.
“Imagine what all those other teams were doing when we won those three games, if only this or if only that.
“I think the best thing about this was, as you so rightly said, it was a brilliant test match. No one left, it was a great entertainment, massive excitement and suspense and two drop goals at the end of the game from a guy who comes off the bench and it just missed a drop for Leinster against Toulouse, for them not to win it.
“So you know, there’s a lovely story at the end of it for Frawley and well done to Ireland. They’re great guys, great tourists and they’ve really competed well.”
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