A few months after the quarter-final France South Africa, Damian de Allende admits that the Springboks had an account to settle with the Blues. The reason? The way in which France has deprived its country to organize this World Cup.
A few months after the victory of South Africa in the World Cup, Damian de Allende recognizes that it was in front of France that the Springboks suffered the most during this competition. But unlike his captain, Siya Kolisi, who expressed a certain compassion with the Blues after having deprived them of their dream of global coronation at home, the three-quarter center of 32 is not unhappy to have played a villain in French rugby.
“I did not have mercy on them, he told Rugby Pass TV, before explaining why. I do not feel sorry for them because of the way in which the allocation of this World Cup took place and the way it was removed from South Africa to us. For me, it was just a little more personal – for all of us – once we understood what really happened and that Rassie Erasmus explained what really happened – it gave us a little advantage for the quarter -finals.
“People forget what France has done to welcome the World Cup”
“We have not organized a World Cup since 1995, and I do not know when we organize another World Cup in South Africa, but 2023 was probably our best chance, and we had the impression that it was in our hands and that we were withdrawn. (…) People forget what France has done to welcome the World Cup again ”, Recalls Allende.
The 2023 World Cup was awarded to France in November 2017. South Africa was also a candidate, and two weeks before the vote, the technical commission mandated by World Rugby had unveiled in its report that it unanimously recommended the South African candidacy.
Despite a better file on paper, South Africa was finally beaten by France during the ballot, by 29 votes against 15 in the 2nd round. It is French lobbying, notably the president of the FFR Bernard Laporte, which would have made the difference. While the vote was made by a secret bulletin, Planet Rugby reports that Rugby Africa would have given two votes to France, rather than in South Africa. Since this episode, World Rugby has decided to publish the votes after each ballot.
