New Zealand v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup final score and result as Springboks beat All Blacks in Paris
The Springboks won a historic fourth Rugby World Cup with a tense one-point victory over the All Blacks in Paris
South Africa hung on to beat New Zealand in a tense 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris, and in doing so they became the first men’s side to win the tournament for a fourth time.
The All Blacks entered the contest as slight favourites following a comprehensive 44-6 victory against Argentina, while the Springboks reached Saturday’s showpiece event after a last-minute penalty secured them a narrow 16-15 win over England.
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi suffered a nightmare start to the match as a knee injury forced the hooker off after only four minutes, four years after he lasted only 20 minutes in the 2019 World Cup final. New Zealand’s Shannon Frizell was shown a yellow card for causing Mbonambi’s injury, but worse was to come for the All Blacks when captain Sam Cane was sent off for a dangerous tackle on the Springboks’ Jesse Kriel, and South Africa led 12-6 at half-time.
A Beauden Barrett try pulled New Zealand back to within one point of their rivals, but the All Blacks couldn’t find anything more, and they went down 12-11 as the Springboks retained their crown.
Follow all the reaction from the final below.
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
New Zealand captain, Sam Cane, speaking after the match:
"Obviously extremely gutted and disappointed, first of all, the boys had to play with 14 men for the last 50 minutes, the courage they showed, incredible, the team is full of absolute warriors, it's tough.
“I'd like to say well done to South Africa. Back-to-back, they had a heck of a tough road to the final."
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Faf de Klerk stopped by ITV to chat about winning the World Cup, again.
“Very special, very blessed, I don't know what to say.” He said, “Never say die attitude, it's something we've always had.
“We started unbelievably well, NZ going down to 14 men was a bad thing for us, they upped their game, just proud of the team. Hopefully it represents unity, what teamwork can do.
“A lot is lacking in our country. People from all races and backgrounds, supporting one goal, something we can learn in every day life. To make a better country and a better world.”
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Here’s some post-match reaction from Siya Kolisi who was as inspiring as always with his thoughts about how winning a World Cup can transform South Africa.
£There's so much going wrong in our country, we are the last line of defence.” He said, “There's so much division in the country, it is possible to work together as South Africans, not just on the rugby field, but in life in general.
“We can't go away from that, 1995, without that I wouldn't be here.
“For people who look like me. I've got a job to give whatever I can to the jersey, to show they can get opportunities like this.”
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Sam Warburton on New Zealand skipper, Sam Cane, getting sent off: "I think Sam Cane has been a phenomenal player, it's one of those things you get wrong.
“He's one of the best 7s, it's not the reason why they lost a the World Cup. It's not the end for him. A phenomenal captain and servant for New Zealand."
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Now it’s the Springboks’ turn to receive their medals. The rain is coming down again but it is not diminishing the smiles on the faces of the triumphant South Africans.
Siya Kolisi is the final player to stride onto the stage. The captain, the leader, the talisman of this heroic side walks up to the Rugby World Cup trophy...
... and hoists it aloft! South Africa are world champions for a second consecutive tournament. It’s their fourth triumphant it total.
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Jonny Wilkinson was full of praise for New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett, who missed a long kick to put the All Blacks ahead in the closing stages, in the immediate aftermath of the final saying:
“The quality of his performance, he stepped up high when they went to 14, he nullified the one-man deficit, it's tough, it's so, so tough.
“You know you gave it everything. It's a shot, it's a long shot. You expect them to go over, more than 50 and at an angle. It wasn't far away.
“He can be immensely happy with what he brought to the team.”
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
The New Zealand players are heading up the podium for the worst walk in sport. They collect their runners-up medals with grace, a few tears and looks of bitter disappointment.
They cam so close to winning this World Cup. One point and a few inches to the right from Jordie Barrett’s kick and the trophy was theirs.
New Zealand v South Africa player ratings: Pieter-Steph du Toit leads Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory
South Africa became the first nation to win the Rugby World Cup on four separate occasions as they edged out a 14-man New Zealand 12-11 in Paris.
South Africa flew out the blocks in the opening period, with Pollard kicking three penalties before the All Blacks were dealt a major blow as captain Sam Cane became the first person to be sent off in a World Cup final after a high tackle.
New Zealand, however, rallied back after the break despite the disadvantage, with Beauden Barrett’s try bringing them back within touching distance but the Springboks would hold on to successfully defend their title.
Here is how the players rated in the Rugby World Cup final.
New Zealand v South Africa player ratings: Pieter-Steph du Toit stars for Springboks
All Blacks’ captain Sam Cane saw red as the Springboks edged out a nervy encounter in Paris
South Africa defeat New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup
Oh my, some of the match stats are coming through now. New Zealand made 93 tackles in that final while South Africa made 209.
That’s more than double the All Blacks. What a performance from the Springboks and what a massive fight from New Zealand who did all that with 14-men for the majority of the game.
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