Rugby World Cup recap: South Africa beat New Zealand to clinch final
Get all the match-stats here: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
First-half highlights
A tight opening saw both sides exchange penalty goals before South Africa lost hooker Bongi Mbonambi to an early injury sustained in a clash with New Zealand's Shannon Frizzell.
Frizzell received a yellow card for the infringement, but the Springboks could not capitalise on their man advantage.
The All Blacks then saw captain Sam Cane receive a yellow for a high tackle, that was upgraded to red following a bunker review.
Cane became the first player to be sent-off in a World Cup final, and the All Blacks have a mountain to climb in the second half.
Second-half highlights
Early in the second period, South Africa’s man advantage was wiped out when their captain Siya Kolisi was shown a yellow card for a similar high tackle to Cane’s. His was not upgraded to a red, however.
After 55 minutes, New Zealand looked to have scored a brilliant try to come within a point but it was ruled out for an earlier knock-on.
Their persistence, and insistence to turn down three points, paid-off around the hour mark when Beauden Barrett crossed in the corner to make it a one-point game.
With under 10 minutes to go, South Africa found themselves down to 14 once again after Cheslin Kolbe was shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on. Jordie Barrett missed the resulting penalty to keep the match on a knife-edge.
However South Africa hung on and became the first nation to win four World Cups.
Preview
It's an epic clash between two of rugby's powerhouses, but which nation will get their hands on the famous Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time?
New Zealand and South Africa have previously met five times at the Rugby World Cup, with the Springboks winning their initial two matches - including the only time they’ve faced each other in the final (at the historic 1995 showpiece) - however the All Blacks have won their last three meetings on the bounce.
But who will come out on top tonight?
New Zealand have won three of their four finals, with their only defeat coming against South Africa in 1995, while South Africa are the only nation to boast a 100% win rate in the final.
The Springboks are aiming to become just the second side to win back-to-back finals after New Zealand, who achieved the feat from 2011-15, after they beat England in the 2019 final.
