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On the fiftieth day, only one remained. The Rugby World Cup in France reached its conclusion on Saturday October 28, after more than a month and a half of competition. The final saw two of the biggest heavyweights in this sport clash, New Zealand and South Africa, at the Stade de France, at 9 p.m. Crowned world champions by dominating the Blacks in the final (12-11)the Springboks led the defense of their title acquired in 2019 to the end and made oval ball history by becoming the first team to win four Webb Ellis trophies. Follow the match live.
South Africa in history. The Boks responded to their evening opponent with the weight of history. Winners of the last edition in 2019, they became the second team after New Zealand (2011 and 2015) to win the Webb-Ellis Trophy twice in a row. Above all, the South Africans are the only ones to have four World Cups, overtaking the All Blacks in the hierarchy.
New Zealand narrowly misses a resounding comeback. They were almost left out of the loop, in agony. Scattered just before the World Cup by the largest defeat in their history (35-7), against the South Africans, then beaten from the start by the XV of France, the All Blacks were not among the big favorites to a place in the final. The New Zealanders had however dispelled doubts. Authoritarian winners of Ireland in the quarter-final before outclassing Argentina, Ian Foster’s men showed a clear rise in power and narrowly failed to be on top of the world again.
One of the greatest rivalries in sports history. Between New Zealanders and South Africans, the history is rich, tinged with fear, but above all with frank mutual respect. “There is a lot of respect between us, and we know that we will get the best out of each other”confirmed the South African Kwagga Smith at a press conference, evoking “an honor” to have the All Blacks as opponents. Before Saturday, the two nations had only met once in the World Cup final, but for one of the most powerful moments in the annals of the competition. For their first participation in 1995, the Springboks won after extra time (15-12) in a post-Apartheid context heavy with symbolism.