South Africa defeated 14-man New Zealand to win their fourth Rugby World Cup title in a thrilling final. Despite being a man down, the All Blacks fought back, but the Springboks held on for a one-point victory. South Africa is now the dominant force in World Cup history.
South Africa clinched a record fourth Rugby World Cup title by doing just enough to deny 14-man New Zealand and retain their crown in a helter-skelter final in Paris.
Both teams pushed for a decisive score in an enthralling, lactic-drenched final quarter, but neither found one, with Jordie Barrett missing a long-range 73rd-minute penalty and the Springboks clinging on for a third successive one-point victory in the knockout stages. Ian Foster's four-year reign as New Zealand head coach ends within a whisker of the ultimate prize, having come under pressure in the build-up when his team dipped below their usual high historical standards.With the Stade de France still ringing to the sound of a full-throttle haka, the two teams tore into each other from the off.
Pollard, whose accuracy off the tee helped secure him a starting role, nailed two penalties during the powerplay. Pollard landed his kick to dig New Zealand's hole a little deeper and it seemed, with 34 minutes gone and the All Blacks 12-3 adrift, as though the destiny of the contest and the cup might already be decided.
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