2023 Rugby World Cup final
The conditions at Stade de France were difficult for the final due to rain. Englishman Wayne Barnes was the referee for the World Cup final. New Zealand were down to 14 men after two minutes due to Shannon Frizell receiving a yellow card for landing on the leg of Bongi Mbonambi. South Africa were forced to replace Mbonambi with Dean Fourie. Frizell’s yellow card went to the bunker system but wasn’t upgraded to a red card.
Handre Pollard continued to impress as he put South Africa six nil ahead while New Zealand were down to 14. New Zealand reduced the lead to three points after a penalty from Richie Mo’unga. New Zealand’s line out was put under pressure due to turnovers from South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth. The biggest moment happened in the 28th minute of the first half as Sam Kane received a yellow card for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel. The decision was reviewed by the bunker system and was upgraded to a red card.
Pollard stretched South Africa’s lead to nine before Mo’unga made it South Africa 12-6 New Zealand at half time. South Africa had the advantage of an extra player as New Zealand had to play with 14 men for over 50 minutes of the final. Beauden Barrett had a strange start to the second half and was extremely lucky not to concede a try. South Africa went down to 14 men after Siya Kolisi received a yellow card for a tackle on Ardie Savea. The tackle was reviewed by the bunker system but wasn’t upgraded to a red card.
New Zealand rallied and a great run by Mo’unga set up a try for Aaron Smith but was controversially disallowed. New Zealand showed great character and continued to dominate especially with Brodie Retallick winning South Africa lineouts. South Africa were put under continued pressure and New Zealand scored a try Through full-back Barrett. New Zealand were outstanding in the second half but the question was if they will tire due to a player less on the field.
South Africa were one in front with just 10 minutes left in the final. South Africa and New Zealand wasn’t the best ever rugby match but was a arm wrestle and nothing between the two teams going down the stretch. New Zealand had an opportunity to go one in front after winning a penalty in the 73rd minute. Jordie Barrett gave a long-range penalty a great effort but was unsuccessful. The game remained 12-11 with less than five minutes to go.
South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk made a couple of massive tackles in the final minutes of the game. As time went on New Zealand needed to go the whole length of the pitch to score a try. New Zealand gained distance through a run by Damian McKenzie but the game came to an end after a knock-on. Final score South Africa 12-11 New Zealand. It was remarkable that South Africa won the quarter-final, semi-final and final all by one point. South Africa Pieter-Steph du Toit was outstanding and was rewarded with Player Of The Match.
South Africa made history as they became the first team to win four Rugby World Cup’s. The tournament in France was a success even though Ireland didn’t make it to either the semi-final or final. The popularity went out of this years World Cup after the host nation France lost to South Africa in the quarter-final. Finish on a positive as Irishman Felix Jones has now won two Rugby World Cup’s as a coach with South Africa.