South African and New Zealand journalists did not watch the same match

Thomas Sinicki, Media365: Published on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 6:34 p.m.

At the height of happiness, the South African press naturally stands in opposition to its New Zealand counterpart, while France can (finally) be more neutral.

South Africa’s coronation for the second time in a row, and fourth in total (and second in France after 2007), raises contradictory feelings between the two camps concerned, when we look at the press. In a victorious country, of course, there is joy behind the Springboks’ playing principles. “They simply don’t know what it’s like to give up, they’ve forgotten how to lose, and on a frigid Parisian night, they did their best ever to outmaneuver the brave New Zealanders,” our colleagues at Daily Maverick wrote.

Lewis: “It’s better in the world not to play rugby”

And from the side of the biggest black followers, such as pen Paul Lewis of the New Zealand Herald who was seen very emotional on the field, reeling from this failure, the latter speaks of “the best in the world not to play rugby.” . Understandable harsh criticism, at least in the midst of disappointment. However, he specifies that “South Africa won fairly” but also that “rugby must recover”: “The Blacks will consider this game got away from them, its inaccuracy hurting them against the Springboks who looked to be at the end of their rope.” Breathing in the second half “

And in James Wall, his colleague from Radio New Zealand, it will be Mr Barnes and his team who are most closely associated with this event, with that red card thrown at captain Sam Keane in the first half – while his counterpart, Siya Kolisi, did not receive a warning until just after the break for what appeared to be similar action. Finally, in France, L’Equipe headlined its editorial “Praise of the Will”: “It is a journey that says everything about the anger that must be overcome, and gives body and soul to all these declarations of love that are constantly made to a country that heals its scars with great collective joy.” It’s easier for neutral observers, even if the memory of the past two weeks hasn’t really gone away. It would even be revived to some extent.