On the fiftieth day, only one remained. The Rugby World Cup in France will reach its conclusion on Saturday October 28, after more than a month and a half of competition. The final sees two of the biggest heavyweights in this sport clash, New Zealand and South Africa, at the Stade de France, at 9 p.m. The All Blacks and the Springboks know each other by heart from playing alongside each other in competitions in the southern hemisphere. This time, it is for the title of big boss of the oval planet that the two nations will face each other for the 106th time. Follow the match live.
South Africa for the double. The Boks can respond to their evening opponent with the weight of history. Winners of the last edition in 2019, they can become the second team after New Zealand (2011 and 2015) to win the Webb-Ellis Trophy twice in a row. A success, and the South Africans would become the only ones to have four World Cups, and would therefore overtake the All Blacks in the hierarchy.
New Zealand for 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, however, have dispelled doubts. Authoritarian winners of Ireland in the quarter-final before outclassing Argentina, Ian Foster’s men are showing a clear rise in power.
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. The two nations have 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.