South Africa became world rugby champions for the fourth time in its history by beating New Zealand in the final of the Rugby World Cup (12-11) on Saturday at the Stade de France. The Springboks, long in numerical superiority after the red card from All Black captain Sam Cane in the 35th, scored all their points thanks to the boot of Handré Pollard, retaining their title acquired in 2019 in Japan.
South Africans on the throne of world rugby
After the global crowns of 1995, 2007 and 2019, South Africa established itself on the throne of world rugby by becoming the most successful team in the competition. In front of the New Zealanders, crowned in 1987, 2011 and 2015. The Boks have never lost in a World Cup final, having dominated – already – New Zealand (15-12 AD) in 1995 then England (15-6) in 2007 and again (32-12) in 2019. They also retain the Webb-Ellis Cup, a first since… the All Blacks, authors of the 2011-2015 double.
Far from the lyrical flights of legendary teammates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, considered at the time as the greatest All Black team in history, the Springboks of 2019 and 2023 relied on the kicking game of their opener Handré Pollard (12 points), already decisive four years ago, to seek a new coronation and carve out an eternal place in the rugby pantheon.
Executioners of the Blues in the quarter-finals
To build this world victory, four years after their title in Japan, the thinking heads of the Boks Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber were able to count on what makes their strength: a titanium pack, an intractable conquest and, above all, a bench as powerful as it is decisive. The third row Deon Fourie, who can also help out as a hooker, a short-lived player from Lyon and Grenoble, had to come into play after four minutes to replace the only number 2 in the squad Bongi Mbonambi, injured on one knee. With success since he made 21 tackles, seven fewer than the omnipresent Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The wrecking ball Ox Nche (52nd) or the colossal RG Snyman (52nd) and Kwagga Smith (60th) also emerged from the bench to make their contribution to the building of the rainbow nation, once shaken by the temporary exclusions of captain Siya Kolisi (46th), future Racing 92 player, and winger Cheslin Kolbe (73rd), executioner of the Blues in the quarter. They also, and above all, knew how to take advantage of New Zealand’s unusual indiscipline, marked by five penalties conceded but above all the yellow card for the third row Shannon Frizell (3rd) and the one, transformed into red by the bunker, collected by the captain Sam Cane (34th).
A title acquired through self-sacrifice throughout the World Cup
Formidably pragmatic, the Springboks had clearly aimed for this World Cup in France, overshadowing the Rugby Championship. And regardless of the defeat against Ireland (13-8), the Boks went for this title through self-sacrifice, notably dominating Scotland (18-3), Romania (76-0) then the Tonga (49-18) during the group stage. Before knocking out France (29-28) in the quarter and then England (16-15) in the half, already by a point difference.
In the final, they will also have benefited from a bit of luck, like this try refused to Aaron Smith (54th) for a forward or the penalty missed by Jordie Barrett (74th) at the very end of the match. It took luck as much as talent to beat this incredible courageous New Zealand team, led by the fantastic Brodie Retallick, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett. The full-back, voted best player in the world in 2016 and 2017, also scored the only try of the match. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Springboks from making history.
They will have the opportunity to strengthen their control over world rugby, in four years in Australia, during a World Cup now contested at 24. The Northern hemisphere, which has only won one World Cup, for example England in 2003, is warned: it will be necessary to be strong to derail the South African machine.