Johan Ackermann: Boks, Ireland to meet again in World Cup final?

It was billed as one of the biggest games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and it lived up to it. It was a classic, high-intensity match between the world’s top two teams and for me this was a dress-rehearsal for the final on October 28.

I’ve seen all the teams in action in France and I believe both the Boks and Ireland will progress to the final, and what a match that will be. I think both teams will get through their quarter-finals and semi-finals; they’re the two teams with the all-round quality, depth and experience.

Of course we’re all disappointed with the defeat in Paris on Saturday night, but one loss doesn’t mean it’s all over.

The big thing is there are no major problems with the Boks’ game. They have just about every area ticked and sorted out and will be better off for this latest match later in the tournament.

Areas to work on

Two things stand out for me from Saturday’s game: goal-kicking and missed opportunities.

The Boks had several attacking scrums deep inside Ireland territory and didn’t make them count, there were several big carries into the Ireland 22m area and nothing came from them … and late in the second half the Boks also missed a lineout.

The Boks also know they don’t have a completely reliable kicker at the moment and so should then rather have kicked to touch and set up a lineout, rather than take kicks at goal. We saw one maul … normally such a go-to for the Boks, and where the team’s power lies.

The Boks simply didn’t test Ireland enough in the areas where the Boks are normally so strong, and have success.

But then, if Manie and Faf had converted the kicks we wouldn’t be wondering about these aspects.
But these are things they would have learned from and will do better next time.

It’s not a hard fix, it’s about making the right decisions, built around who’s in your team and what your strengths are.

But what a Test match.

Meet again in the final?

The intensity and quality was right up there; you couldn’t take your eyes off the action. The physicality was insane and the fact there were no cards dished out is quite surprising.

There was not much to separate the teams in the scrums, though I thought the Boks had the edge. Where the Boks did have the upperhand was in the lineouts and let’s be honest, Ireland’s poor functioning lineout saved the Boks on a few occasions so while the Boks missed a few chances in the Ireland 22m area, Ireland could and should have made more of their attacking lineout.

Besides the Boks’ poor finishing and option-taking they also gave away too many penalties at key times, particularly in the tackle area, which relieved the pressure for Ireland, but let’s also credit Andy Farrell and his team; they worked so hard and showed why they are number one. It went for them on the day … like I’ve said previously, it’s sport, sometimes things don’t work for you.

I thought some cracks would eventually start showing in the Ireland team in the second half when the Bok replacements came on, but it didn’t happen.

Looking ahead, the value for the Boks must be seen in the sense that teams like France and New Zealand, following their opening game against each other, would only have played against weaker teams until the knockouts, where the Boks will have played in two (and even three if you include Tonga) high intensity, high pressure games ahead of the quarters.

These types of games will be of huge benefit to a number of the less experienced men in the team and the Boks’ preparation and readiness for the proper knockout rugby later on.

Will the Boks get another crack at Ireland in the final? I wouldn’t be surprised.