South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for a record fourth time and successfully retained their 2019 title.

The Springboks beat New Zealand 11-12 in a very close and intense match. The game consisted of four maps, major clashes and was decided by points from the start.

The big turning point of the match was the expulsion of New Zealand captain Sam Kane 45 minutes from the end. The open flanker made a dangerously high attack on Springbok Jesse Creel, heading straight for his head.

It was initially shown as a yellow card, but was reviewed. After a short period of time, the attack turned red. Referee Barnes explained to Ardi Savea that there was “a high degree of danger and there were no mitigating measures”. It was the first red card in a Rugby World Cup final.

The first half began with Eben Etzebeth’s powerful tackle on New Zealander Richie Moung, setting the tone for the clashes that would unfold.

Kiwi underdog Shannon Frizell was also given his marching orders, this time after just two minutes, for bringing down Bongi Mbonambi in the breakdown. Frizell’s weight landed on the Springbok hooker’s leg as he went for the jackal, a moment that ended the World Cup for Mbonambi. Frizell’s card entered the review section and has not been updated since.

There were no tries in the first 40 and it was as close a match as everyone expected. Full-backs Richie Mo’unga and Handre Pollard exchanged penalties, but it was South Africa who benefited most from the infractions, taking a 6-12 lead. Pollard now has more World Cup final points than any other player in the tournament’s history, and those 12 points would finally count.

“Bok full-back Peter-Steph du Toit showed why he was named the best rugby player in the world in 2019 with a big change at the back. In the first half alone, he made 14 tackles, many of them heat-seeking missiles.

The co-captain was given his marching orders just minutes into the second half when Siya Kolisi was booked for a controversial tackle on New Zealand’s Savea. The Springbok came in with considerable strength but dropped enough to soften significantly. Therefore, he was allowed to return to the field after being controlled from the bunker.

New Zealand thought they had won the first try of the game in the 54th minute when a stunning solo run by Mo’ung led to Aaron Smith’s goal, but the TMO dramatically disallowed the try after Savea was found to have kicked the ball in the previous line. .

They got their wish minutes later when Beauden Barrett scored the first try of the game. With 14 players, Mounga decided to pass the ball to the defenders. Under immense pressure from Boden’s line speed, Boden’s brother Jordy made a precise pass to winger Mark Telea, who offloaded onto Boden, lifting him and landing.

Moung’s failed conversion left New Zealand a point behind the Boks. The score was tied at 14 apiece when Cheslin Kolbe was yellow carded for a tackle with less than ten minutes remaining. Jordy Barrett missed a very important penalty in the middle of the field.

It was costly when Barnes finally blew the whistle to hand the Springboks the Webb Ellis Cup. In a rather surprising statistic, the Boks won the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final by one point in each match.