Damian Willemse of South Africa celebrates after the Boks win the World Cup. Picture: EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT
South Africa’s Springboks beat New Zealand’s All Blacks 12-11 to win the Rugby World Cup final in Paris on Saturday nigh.
The Boks led 12-6 at the break, with the All Blacks scoring the only try of the game, by Beauden Barret, in the second half.
Handre Pollard kicked four penalties and Richie Mo’unga two.
The Boks’ defence stood firm for most of the 80 minutes and Pieter-Steph du Tout stood tallest in an epic encounter. he was closely followed by Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi and Faf de Klerk who delivered masterful performances.
The Boks were the defending champions from 2019.
The Boks lost hooker Bongi Mbonambi to an injury in the second minute, meaning Deon Fourie, at 37 and who’d been backed to be the team’s second hooker after an injury to Malcolm Marx, played the majority of the final.
The All Blacks were reduced to 14 men in the first half when captain Sam Cane was red-carded for a shoulder hit on Jesse Kriel.
Kolisi was also sin-binned for a high hit in the second half, and Cheslin Kolbe, too … but for only 10-minute spells in the bin.
The Boks scored no points in the second half.
The Boks are now four-time winners of the World Cup!
Below is how The Citizen covered the final
Live updates about the Rugby World Cup final between the Boks and All Blacks in Paris will appear below. For latest posts please refresh.
Springboks: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Bench: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie le Roux
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell; Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown