The Springboks have won again! They are the first four-time rugby world champions. The South African team defeated New Zealand (12-11) in the World Cup final, which was played on Saturday at the Stade de France in Paris.
The South Africans had won in 1995, 2007 and 2019 and have now won the 2023 World Cup final. Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy for the second time, after making history in 2019 by becoming the first black captain to lift the trophy for the South Africa.
It was the sixth time the two rivals had faced off at the World Championships, three wins for each of the teams and two of which gave the Springboks two titles. The All Blacks were unable to avenge their defeat at the historic 1995 World Cup and lost the final again to their great rival, who regained the title and matched New Zealand’s performance (2011 and 2015).
Four penalties from Handre Pollard (3, 13, 19 and 34 minutes) clinched the title for the South Africans, in a match in which the New Zealanders were the only side to score a try, through Beauden Barrett (58′), despite playing in numerical inferiority since the expulsion of captain Sam Cane (27′).
The South Africans added their fourth world title, following their conquests in 1995, 2007 and 2019, and became the second team to retain a world championship title, after New Zealand achieved them in 2011 and 2015.
Source: DN
