South Africa have been crowned 2023 Rugby World Cup champions, defeating New Zealand on a 12-11 scoreline after an incredibly tense final at the Stade de France.
The Springboks were given a huge boost early on in the game when All Blacks captain Sam Cane was sent off, with many assuming that the defending champions would go on to win comfortably from that point.
However, the reality was far different.
Having led 12-6 at halftime, they would fail to score a single point in the second half. New Zealand huffed and puffed, although a Beauden Barrett try would be their only score after the interval. They would fail to score the resulting conversion, with Jordie Barrett then going on to miss a crucial penalty in the last ten minutes.
Cheslin Kobe is shown yellow - so it's 14 v 14 for the remainder!
Jordie Barrett kicks the penalty for New Zealand to lead - and he misses! 🇳🇿 #NZLvRSA | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/mnn4g0c6Nc— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 28, 2023
Despite being reduced to 14 men themselves in the closing stages after a yellow card was given to Cheslin Kolbe, South Africa would manage to hang on to secure a record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup crown.
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Brian O'Driscoll praises the officiating in Rugby World Cup final
South Africa will be thrilled with their victory this evening, something that will be quite the contrast with those in the New Zealand camp. They will feel that they left this game behind them, even if they did play with 14 men for most of it.
In saying that, they may also be of the opinion that they were hard done by with a few refereeing decisions. Some in the New Zealand media have questioned the performance of referee Wayne Barnes, with both the red card and a South Africa penalty decision coming under the microscope.
However, others were full of praise for the officials.
That includes Brian O'Driscoll, who said on ITV that not only did they get the red card decision spot on, but also that he felt that Barnes was brilliant in his approach throughout the match.
The reason is, what you're looking in any effective tackle is a hinge at the hips. It's chest to chest. Sam Cane can have no complaints with it.
Jessie Kriel's body height, there is no mitigation because of his body height. He might be a fraction lower than he would have thought, but there's no late dip. He has a clear line of sight with what that contact point is.
That is considerable force to the head and for me it is a very clear red card...
He spelled it out (all the decisions). It was all calm, he simply laid it out for both captains.
The good news is that I had South Africa in my family pool draw, so drinks are on me tonight...
The intensity of this final was quite something today. It was gladiatorial, it really was. It wasn't for the faint-hearted out there.
That is an opinion that might not be shared in New Zealand.
In any case, many will feel that on the overall balance of play, South Africa probably did just about enough to emerge as deserving winners in this Rugby World Cup final.
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