New Zealand vs South Africa LIVE! Rugby World Cup final 2023 ...
South Africa are celebrating winning the Rugby World Cup once again. The Springboks outlasted the All Blacks in a tense heavyweight final between the Southern Hemisphere giants in Paris on Saturday night, ultimately holding on to prevail again by a single point, 12-11, thanks to four penalties from the trusty boot of returning fly-half Handre Pollard.
It was not quite the epic showpiece that many had hoped for on a wet pitch, but there was still no shortage of drama as New Zealand captain Sam Cane received the first red card ever dished out in the World Cup final after his yellow for a head-on-head collision was upgraded after a bunker review. Shannon Frizell, Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe also saw yellow in a competitive contest that involved an extremely tense finish.
Beauden Barrett scored the only try of the game after Aaron Smith's had been chalked off with Richie Mo'unga also knocking over two penalties, but the All Blacks came up short after Jordie Barrett's late long-range kick missed the target. South Africa have now won back-to-back titles and become the first team ever to lift the Webb Ellis Cup four times. Follow reaction live below, with expert insight and analysis from Standard Sport's Nick Purewal at the Stade de France!
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"I honestly can't explain it. What happened in the last World Cup, we were kind of hoping to get the name of the Springboks back but now people were expecting us to do it," Kolisi told ITV.
"Honestly, there is so much going wrong in our country, we are the last line of defence. So many people are helpless and there is so much division but we show there is hope.
"Look what the sport did in 1995. Without that, I wouldn't be here, there were people before that who fought for people that look like me to be in the jersey.
PA
"We knew New Zealand would come more after the red card. That is why they have been so successful over they years and then obviously my moment of naughtiness cost us with a yellow card.
"We have played against teams who have done this before. Nobody gave England a chance when they played us and they showed who they are, and then New Zealand today. I'm really proud of what the boys have done."
Fantastic celebrations on the pitch after the trophy lift, with Kolisi singing and dancing and leading the way.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa lifted the trophy with the players - I believe he previously pledged a public holiday were the Springboks to win the World Cup again.
Let's see if he sticks to it!
AP
Siya Kolisi scaled rarefied heights in Paris as South Africa edged past New Zealand 12-11 for their captain to lift a second-straight Rugby World Cup crown, writes Nick Purewal at the Stade de France.
Handre Pollard’s four penalties somehow proved just enough for the Springboks to defend their 2019 title, for a record fourth World Cup triumph.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first man to be sent off in a World Cup final, for a head-high shot on Jesse Kriel.
The Springboks are the newest Parisian dynasty, and king Kolisi their figurehead. He must be anointed, crowned, hailed to the heavens.
The 32-year-old from township Zwide, the first-ever black Springbok captain, Kolisi is also now just the second man to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice.
The first team ever to win the Rugby World Cup four times.
Standard Sport's Nick Purewal at the Stade de France
Somehow the Boks hold on.
Kolisi the Parisian king will now lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.
Only Richie McCaw can also say that.
The All Blacks left everything out there.
To come so close with 14 men for 62 minutes is special, but not quite enough.
SOUTH AFRICA ARE RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR A RECORD-BREAKING FOURTH TIME!
THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED THEIR TITLE!
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80 mins: A reset after De Klerk can't get the ball in.
The clock is in the red but New Zealand are scrapping hard to keep the ball alive.
But their efforts are in vain! THE FINAL WHISTLE SOUNDS!
South Africa have the put-in and New Zealand have to make something happen here...
79 mins: Kwagga Smith with a turnover on the floor and that could be it for New Zealand.
But Kriel inexplicably kicks it straight back to McKenzie!
One more chance for the All Blacks, Savea breaking but he knocks on trying to find Lienert-Brown.
78 mins: New Zealand remain stuck and penned deep inside their own half with time ticking away on their World Cup hopes.
Christie's kick is charged down by De Klerk!
