Fourth world title! South Africa are now rugby world champions

In wet conditions at the Stade de France in Paris, the “Springboks” narrowly beat the “All Blacks” 12:11 (12:6) on Saturday. For defending champion South Africa, it is the fourth triumph after 1995, 2007 and 2019. The next World Cup in the four-year tournament cycle will take place in Australia in 2027.

Then for the first time 24 instead of 20 teams will take part. It wasn’t a “happy ending” for outgoing New Zealand coach Ian Foster, who will be replaced by Scott Robertson after the World Cup. The All Blacks still have three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). In the “dream final,” New Zealand captain Sam Cane received a red card after a shoulder tackle to the head after 27 of 80 minutes of play.

The South Africans, who had beaten England 16:15 in the semi-final of the new edition of the 2019 final, went into the match 12:6 thanks to four penalty kicks from Handré Pollard (3rd/13th/19th/34th). Half time break. After the break, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, who led his team to the World Cup title for the second time, also saw a yellow card and had to leave the field briefly. In front of tennis superstar and Springboks fan Roger Federer, New Zealander Aaron Smith scored what was supposed to be the first attempt of the game in the 54th minute, but shortly before the ball had been illegally played forward.

A little later, Beauden Barrett scored his first attempt, the 32-year-old’s second in a World Cup final. With the score at 12:11, a dramatic final phase developed in which the All Blacks played strongly despite being outnumbered. However, Jordie Barrett missed a penalty kick six minutes from time.