On the verge of tears, Saint-Andre recounts the trauma of 1995 on RMC

Philippe Saint-Andre made no secret of his feelings at the Grandes Gueules du Sport when recalling the World Cup semi-final between France and South Africa in 1995. For the former Blues captain, it was a scandal worthy of tears.

It is a moving testimony. Deeply moved, and even on the verge of tears, Philippe Saint-Andre spoke rarely this Sunday at the Grandes Gueules du Sport on the RMC. Twenty-eight years later, he agreed to recount the shock of the Blues’ semi-final loss to South Africa (19-15) in the 1995 World Cup semi-final. The poster whose result became legendary is both very historic for the Springboks and depressing for the Blues. A match marked by bad weather conditions, a series of refereeing errors, and painful final minutes for the French. Saint-Andre then wore the captain’s armband. He did not forget any of this painful memory.

“It is very difficult for me. For twenty-eight years, I have never said that this is a scandal even though I was the captain of this French team. I will explain to you the facts. In terms of preparing for the match, the referee brings together the captains and coaches, and says to us: ‘I think the match It will not take place, it is not possible to play a rugby match due to the weather conditions.” You should know that this is the third World Cup, and the South African leaders have read a small booklet and realized that if the match does not take place, it is France that has reached the final thanks to fair play because South Africa received a red card. “The card is in the group stage. You could see the pressure that was on the referee in the locker room…”

“I have never seen such sadness before.”

He continued: “The second thing is that we rejected four attempts. The third thing is that it was Robin Kruger, their third line, who scored in the 26th minute. Before he died, he wrote a book saying that it was unprecedented.” “Flat. Another thing, at the end of this game, we’re five meters from their line, they collapsed the huddle five times. Now, with the video referee, it will be a test of penalty kicks. It goes even further. The day before the final (he won The New Zealanders were poisoned. 80% of their men fell ill. At the reception, the President of the South African Football Association presented a special award to the umpire, a watch…”

In conclusion: “At that time, rugby wasn’t as media focused as it is now. Honestly, if the referee makes a mistake tonight, I hope it goes on the right side of history. I never do that.” I saw a lot of sadness in the locker room Clothing. I always said I didn’t want to be an old fart, but when you see everything that’s happened you might wonder. “I never said, ‘I’ve waited 28 years, it feels good.’ I hope we can finally take down South Africa.” See you on Sunday at Stade de France at 9pm for the 2023 World Cup quarter-final rematch.