South Africa are now record world champions

South Africa won the dramatic final of the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand and became the sole record champions with their fourth victory in the tournament. In wet conditions at the Paris Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which was sold out with 80,000 fans (including ex-tennis star Roger Federer), the “Springboks”, who had also won the previous two knockout rounds (against France and… England) had the upper hand by just one point, narrowly winning 12:11 (12:6).

For defending champion South Africa, it is the fourth triumph after 1995, 2007 and 2019. The match point for the New Zealanders, who were outnumbered after a shoulder tackle by captain Sam Cane (27th), was missed by Jordie Barrett, who failed with a penalty kick six minutes before the end . The next World Cup in the four-year tournament cycle will take place in Australia in 2027 – incidentally for the first time with 24 (instead of the previous 20) nations.

“There is nothing bigger than this final in rugby. It feels great,” cheered South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi: “Our country is going through so much, so many children are not doing well. But we can give hope.”