The Indy Rugby Podcast: Wales fall short once again as Springboks strangle their way to World Cup final

Jack de Menezes is joined by Duncan Bech to discuss the fallout from semi-final weekend at the Rugby World Cup and look forward to Saturday’s final – and the dreaded third-place play-off

With both semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup done and dusted, we now know that England and South Africa will battle it out for the right to be crowned world champions at Japan 2019.

Following on from England’s heroics against New Zealand on Saturday, the Springboks emerged triumphant from their gruelling clash against Wales, ending Warren Gatland’s hopes of a triumphant farewell as he prepares to leave the national team.

Tries from Damian de Allende and Josh Adams cancelled each other out, with the match coming down to the kickers as Handre Pollard fired South Africa into the final with a 76th-minute penalty.

It means that there will be a repeat of the 2007 Rugby World Cup final when South Africa edged out the English to clinch their second Webb Ellis Cup when the two sides meet on Saturday evening at the International Stadium Yokohama.

However, that is not the only game remaining at the World Cup, with New Zealand and Wales set to feature in the one no one wants to be a part of as they contest the bronze final on Friday night in Tokyo.

Podcast host Jack de Menezes is joined for this episode by Duncan Bech of the Press Association to discuss the weekend’s semi-final action and look ahead to the final weekend of the 2019 World Cup.

Download the episode here as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you listen.