Postpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
The All Blacks trudge up to get those runners-up medals. Most of them have them off their necks before they are off the podium.
Summary
South Africa win dramatic final in Paris to claim record fourth World Cup
Springboks hold on 14-man All Blacks to clinch back-to-back World Cups
New Zealand captain Sam Cane sent off for head-on-head tackle in first half
Beauden Barrett scored in corner as spirited All Blacks fought back
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi yellow-carded for high tackle in second half
Four Handre Pollard penalties gave Springboks 12-6 half-time lead
Postpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
Postpublished at 22:25 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesMe, remembering I text my South African cousin this time last week saying 'we should put £50 on South Africa to win the final by one point...'
Champions again!published at 22:24 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Image source, Getty Images2003: England 20-17 Australia
2007: South Africa 15-6 England
Image source, Getty Images2011: New Zealand 8-7 France
2015: New Zealand 34-17 Australia
Image source, Getty Images2019: South Africa 32-12 England
2023: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
#bbcrugby, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)
Well done to South Africa but although I'm an avid rugby fan, I worry the game is becoming less appealing and will attract less people.
Chris
Postpublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
South Africa won seven turnovers to just one from New Zealand. That's a telling stat.
Postpublished at 22:21 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
'World in Union' rings out as South Africa's players converge in a huddle. They must be physically and emotionally wrecked.
'As a team we like drama'published at 22:19 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Image source, Getty ImagesPlayer of the match Pieter-Steph du Toit, speaking to ITV: "The last three games have been quite tough, each one we have played has been a final and each one we have won by one point.
"As a team we like drama. It has helped us through the last few years, it shows the resilience of this team.
"We are honoured to play for the whole of South Africa and the Springboks. When we go back home it will be a warm welcome for us. Thank you to everyone."
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 22:18 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
#bbcrugby, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)
Cedric: Three games won by a single-point difference... Metal strength. Definitely deserved the title, especially in the fashion they beat France. Hats off.
Dennis: When Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk were recalled for the final I knew it was over. Congratulations SOUTH AFRICA on winning a record 4th Rugby World Cup trophy. Absolutely incredible
Shaheen: The Rugby World Cup has been the Sporting Tournament of year by a distance from start to finish it’s been EPIC!!
'Emotions are running so high'published at 22:16 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesCheslin Kolbe was good tonight, he made some very good hits and carried the ball beautifully.
He had his jersey over his head when he went off and the emotions are running so high for them.
Everyone wants to contribute their best to the team and a lot of players had a good game tonight.
Tackle countpublished at 22:16 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
New Zealand made 93 tackles in that final.
South Africa made 209 (TWO HUNDRED AND NINE!).
Postpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
The Sam Cane red card was a massive moment, of course. To get so close while being a man down is incredible really...
'New Zealand did not have a Plan B'published at 22:13 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Martin Johnson
England's World Cup winning captain on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesSouth Africa did not score a point in the second half. Someone needs to explain to Sam Cane why he has left the field and Siya Kolisi stayed on.
It is elation and relief for South Africa, but that is what you play the game for. They have had such a tough draw and South Africa have had to beat the hosts. A dramatic game last week, but it suited them tonight.
New Zealand did not have a 'Plan B'.
Emotions, embraces and heartachepublished at 22:11 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Image source, Getty ImagesThe finale this World Cup deserved.
Polar opposite emotions as Springboks jump into the front rows of the Stade de France to embrace friends and family while desolate All Blacks get a consoling hug from coach Ian Foster.
'The greatest ever rugby side'published at 22:08 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 LiveI think we have witnessed the greatest ever rugby side. What they have just done in this tournament is simply remarkable. The way they have come through their group and the knockouts - it is remarkable.
I don't think it will ever be surpassed and all with the label as current world champions with that target on their back.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 22:08 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
One captain has lifted the Webb Ellis Cup twice - Richie McCaw in 2011 and 2015. Siya Kolisi will join him in a matter of minutes.
Big game playerspublished at 22:07 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
To win a quarter-final, a semi-final and a FINAL by one point on each occasion is just incredible isn't it?
Whatever you think of South Africa and their rugby, that is what you call mental strength and resilience.
Image source, Getty Images'An amazing achievement'published at 22:06 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 LiveUnbelievable stuff. I am choking up, it is an amazing achievement.
In a match like that I commend New Zealand. In terms of the match we thought we were going to get, it 100% delivered.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
Captain Siya Kolisi collapses to his knees and then embraces Cheslin Kolbe. They both had time in the sin bin but they are both multiple World Cup winners.
Tears in the All Black camp. But what an effort with 14 men for so long...
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 22:05 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
FT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
1995.
2007.
2019
2023.
The Springboks are World Cup winners for a record fourth time.
Full-timepublished at 22:04 British Summer Time 28 October 2023
BreakingFT: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!
Image source, Getty Images