South Africa became the first nation to win four Rugby World Cup’s, holding off New Zealand in a dramatic final.
Four Handre Pollard penalties to two from Richie Mo’unga gave the Springboks a 12-6 half-time lead at Stade de France.
After a first-half where All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell was sin-binned for an incident. Which resulted in Mbongeni Mbonambi being forced off injured.
Whereas, New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent-off in a RWC final for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.
With, Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse both went close for South Africa before Kolisi was yellow-carded as the All Blacks fought back.
For their country, for their people. Four.#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/MRes5zgqGO
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Aaron Smith was denied a try for an earlier knock-on. That was before Beauden Barrett touched down to bring New Zealand to within a point.
There was late drama as Cheslin Kolbe was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Whereas, Jordie Barrett missed a long-range penalty that might have won it for New Zealand!
South Africa win a fourth World Cup
Therefore, the Springboks maintained their perfect record in finals, winning out 12-11 adding to their crowns in 1995, 2007 and 2019.
"I guess as a team we like drama," said Mastercard Player of the Match, Pieter-Steph du Toit. Indeed, du Toit made 28 tackles.
"The last three games have been quite tough. We played each one as a final and each one was [won] by one point. It shows the resilience of the team."
"They took us to the end, they took us to a dark place” said South Africa captain Siya Kolisi paying tribute to New Zealand”.
“It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game. They put us under so much pressure”.
"We lost our hooker in the early part of the game and had to adjust, somehow we found a way."
"I think experience pulled them through" said Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber. "They’re an amazing bunch of guys, they are all warriors and they all love South Africa."
