28 October 2023 , 21:53
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Siya Kolisi lifted the World Cup for the second time in four years as South Africa made history on a dramatic night in Paris.
No nation had won four titles before ice-cool Handre Pollard kicked the Springboks to the narrowest of wins in a pulsating final.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane became the first player sent off in rugby’s showpiece for a first-half shoulder-to-head shot on Jessie Kriel. But despite his team playing more than an hour a man down their line-out supremacy took them to the brink of a seismic shock.
“We’re a team that loves drama,” said man of the match Pieter-Steph Du Toit after the Boks escaped to their third one-point win in three knockout matches.
“It shows the resilience of this team and South Africa.”
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Few would begrudge them their triumph as they played each of the top five nations, losing only to Ireland. Their tackle count last night was 209 to New Zealand’s 93.
(Getty Images)But when they conceded their first try in four finals to Beauden Barrett on 58 minutes, the Kiwis gave themselves a golden shot at glory.
Cheslin Kolbe was sin-binned for an intentional knock-on and Jordie Barrett took aim with the decisive kick.
It drifted agonisingly left of the posts and when Du Toit then made his 28th tackle to snuff out a late All Black counter the cup was won.
NZ - Try: B Barrett. Pens: Mo’unga 2.
SA - Pens: Pollard 4.