Winners against New Zealand in the final on Saturday, the South Africans retained their crown acquired in 2019.
It is now the greatest nation in the history of rugby in terms of results. South Africa won its fourth World Cup by beating New Zealand on Saturday October 28 at the Stade de France. The Boks emerged victorious from a suspenseful final, which they led from start to finish but during which they also trembled. “Congratulations to my guys for the fight they put up. I’m just happy we were able to do it.”summed up the South African captain, Siya Kolisi, a few minutes after the final whistle.
With smiles on their lips and tears in their eyes, Jacques Nienaber’s men lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time in a row, after 2019, achieving the first double in their history. “It’s incredible, it’s even better than the last World Cup, it’s even more specialappreciated Faf de Klerk at the microphone of World Rugby after the meeting. I’m overwhelmed by emotions, I don’t believe it yet.”
“A long way” traveled together
To achieve this great happiness, the Springboks delivered a performance like their final phase, relying on their physical and mental strength to swing the fate of a short lead in their favor. “The last three matches were difficult. We played them all like a final and we won by one point each time”, recognized Pieter-Steph du Toit, impressive in the third row and named player of the match. “We have been used to overcoming difficulties for several years […] It proves that this team and this country are resilient.”
The winners of the evening, who fielded the most experienced team in their history on the Dionysian pitch (987 cumulative selections), relied on their shared experience to manage this eventful match. “They came out of the experience […] They have already participated in a World Cup final. Some have already played three editions”, greeted coach Jacques Nienaber at the edge of the field, in gold for his last match on the selection bench. Fourteen of the 23 players on the scoresheet on Saturday evening were from the Japanese adventure four years ago. “We have come a long way together with the players. We’ve been preparing for this World Cup for a long time, since 2018.”he rewound.
A new symbolic victory
As in 1995, during the first South African coronation, which helped lay the foundations of the reputation of the rainbow nation, this victory resonates beyond the limits of the field. In a country still marked by inequalities, the heroes of the evening know that their fourth trophy, 28 years later, will still serve as a link.
“People who are not from South Africa don’t understand what this means for our country. It’s more than just a game. Our country is going through a lot and at least we have that little glimmer of hope with this victorySiya Kolisi was moved. We are really happy to be able to be here and we thank all the South Africans who are fighting and struggling.”
“I hope we can use this in a positive way to inspire people at home,” added Faf de Klerk. On the first step of the podium, they were also accompanied by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as a symbol. They are now expected by tens of millions of supporters in South Africa. It is only once back on national soil that they will be able to measure the impact of their success.