In a rain-drenched evening at the iconic Stade de France, South Africa etched its name in rugby history, securing a heart-stopping 12-11 victory against New Zealand in the Men's Rugby World Cup final. This landmark win marked South Africa's fourth Rugby World Cup title, an unparalleled achievement in the annals of the sport. The sheer magnitude of the moment left no room for debate about their supremacy in international rugby. The final unfolded as an epic and fluctuating battle, largely shaped by the fortunes of the two captains. Siya Kolisi, South Africa's first black rugby captain, repeated his iconic feat from four years ago, lifting the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. It was a moment of déjà vu for Springbok supporters. On the other side, New Zealand's Sam Cane, leading the All Blacks, experienced a night of despair and disappointment.

The turning point of the game arrived in the 27th minute when Cane received a red card following a video review. He was penalized for a high and dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel. This marked an unprecedented moment in Rugby World Cup history, as the All Blacks' captain received the first red card in a final.  However, the spectacle was far from over. In the second half, Siya Kolisi was shown a yellow card for an incident involving Ardie Savea, allowing the 14-man New Zealand side to launch a spirited comeback. The All Blacks thought they had a try when scrum-half Aaron Smith crossed the line, but it was disallowed due to a knock-on by Savea. Nevertheless, they went on to score a legitimate try through Beauden Barrett, setting the stage for a riveting finish. Jordie Barrett's long-range penalty attempt in the closing minutes narrowly missed the mark.

In the grandstands, tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic watched a gladiatorial contest unfold. The Springboks, led by Handré Pollard's impeccable kicking and the dynamic Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was once crowned the world player of the year in 2019, became only the second men's team to secure back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, emulating New Zealand's feat from 2015. The anticipation for this match was palpable, with a century of rugby history between these proud nations. The players' expressions during the national anthems and the intensity of the Haka showcased the significance of the moment.

The relentless rain added to the intensity of the atmosphere. It posed a unique challenge for New Zealand, who struggled to handle the slippery ball, resulting in numerous scrums. This played into the hands of South Africa, a team renowned for its prowess in the scrum. Prior to Barrett's try, the Springboks had never conceded a try in three previous World Cup finals. South African tenacity proved to be the decisive factor. Remarkably, they navigated all three of their knockout matches with slender one-point victories, overcoming a multitude of challenges. The loss of hooker Bongi Mbonambi after just three minutes, due to a challenging tackle by Shannon Frizell, added to the adversity faced by the Springboks.

As the game unfolded, Handré Pollard's precise kicking and an indomitable Springbok defense ensured they maintained their lead. Despite New Zealand's spirited efforts, they failed to break through decisively. The game's momentum shifted dramatically following Sam Cane's red card, allowing South Africa to capitalize on the numerical advantage and secure their place in rugby history once more by lifting the Webb Ellis Cup. 

This thrilling final encapsulated the essence of rugby, a sport filled with heart and soul. South Africa's historic victory has firmly established their status as a rugby powerhouse, leaving the northern hemisphere with a challenging task to catch up to their southern hemisphere counterparts who continue to dominate on the global stage.

Africa Team