South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for a fourth time when they best New Zealand 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France in Paris last Sunday.
South African captain Siya Kolisi kisses the World Cup
Although the final may not have been up to expectations by way of try-scoring action with only one touch-down in the whole match, the culmination was tension-filled as New Zealand pressed for a last grasp win in the final five minutes of play. The match ended in mid field but South Africa deserved the victory and all their points came off the boot of fly half Handre Pollard who landed four penalties.
The vanquished New Zealand All Blacks team in a sombre mood after losing the final
For the South Africans it was a rare occasion to celebrate and cherish as they were the defending champions who won the World Cup in 2019 by beating England in the final. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said after the match: “There was a lot of pressure on us especially from the line outs but we found a way. It is not just about the game and what happens on the field. Our country goes through such a lot. When we work together anything is possible”.
South African scrum half Faf de Klerk is hugged by a team-mate
The All Blacks went into the match with plenty of hopes but they eventually had to play the entire second half minus their captain Sam Cane who was sent off in the first half through a yellow card that was upgraded to red for hitting his head in a tackle against a South African opponent.
England won the Bronze medal when they beat Argentina in the third place play-off match.
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