New Zealand v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup final score and result as Springboks beat All Blacks in Paris
The Springboks won a historic fourth Rugby World Cup with a tense one-point victory over the All Blacks in Paris
South Africa hung on to beat New Zealand in a tense 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris, and in doing so they became the first men’s side to win the tournament for a fourth time.
The All Blacks entered the contest as slight favourites following a comprehensive 44-6 victory against Argentina, while the Springboks reached Saturday’s showpiece event after a last-minute penalty secured them a narrow 16-15 win over England.
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi suffered a nightmare start to the match as a knee injury forced the hooker off after only four minutes, four years after he lasted only 20 minutes in the 2019 World Cup final. New Zealand’s Shannon Frizell was shown a yellow card for causing Mbonambi’s injury, but worse was to come for the All Blacks when captain Sam Cane was sent off for a dangerous tackle on the Springboks’ Jesse Kriel, and South Africa led 12-6 at half-time.
A Beauden Barrett try pulled New Zealand back to within one point of their rivals, but the All Blacks couldn’t find anything more, and they went down 12-11 as the Springboks retained their crown.
Follow all the reaction from the final below.
New Zealand 6-12 South Africa
45 minutes: Is this the first try?
No. From a South Africa scrum, the utilise their extra man to bring the All Blacks in field before another fine kick out to the wing almost sees Kurt-Lee Arendse in for a try.
As he dives for the line, his foot goes into touch and he drops the ball before it’s grounded. South Africa are getting closer.
New Zealand 6-12 South Africa
42 minutes: Oh that is close.
A cross field kick from Handre Pollard sees the ball bobble into the hands of South Africa skipper Siya Kolisi who bombs forward. He’s tackled a couple of metres before the line then the Springboks are held up and New Zealand must restart the game with a dropout.
Second half! New Zealand 6-12 South Africa
South Africa get the Rugby World Cup final back underway. They’ll be happy with their night’s work so far. Can they hold onto their lead of will New Zealand rally?
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi suffers Rugby World Cup final heartbreak with injury
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi suffered a nightmare Rugby World Cup final after being forced off injured with only two minutes played.
The Springboks hooker was forced off with a knee injury after Shannon Frizell landed on his standing leg at the breakdown, earning the All Blacks player a yellow card. Referee Wayne Barnes took advice from his TMO before producing the card, which was then put to a review for a possible upgrade to red, based on whether Frizell’s action was deliberate.
The TMO kept the card at yellow, concluding Frizell was “not targeting the leg, he’s fallen on it”.
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi suffers Rugby World Cup final heartbreak with injury
The Springboks hooker suffered World Cup final heartache again, leaving the game at the Stade de France after just two minutes, four years on from the 2019 final in Yokohama where he was forced off after 21 minutes against England
HT New Zealand 6-12 South Africa
As expected there was a discussion over the red card for Sam Cane on ITV during the break.
Brian O'Driscoll said: "Any effective tackle is a hinge at the hips, Sam Cane can have no complaints, there's no late dip, he has a clear line of sight, it's considerable force to the head a very, very clear red card."
And Sean Fitzpatrick agreed saying: "In real time, it's a red card, we have to get on with it."
Half-time! New Zealand 6-12 South Africa
New Zealand trail on the scoreboard as the teams head into the break. The big story is that New Zealand are down to 14-men after captain Sam Cane was dismissed for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.
Could that decision affect the course of this final?
PENALTY! New Zealand 6-12 South Africa (Richie Mo’unga, 38 minutes)
38 minutes: As the advantage didn’t help New Zealand the referee pulls the play back for the earlier penalty.
Richie Mo’unga kicks for goal and brings South Africa back within range of one converted try.
New Zealand 3-12 South Africa
37 minutes: Close! Mark Tele’a bursts forward for New Zealand and gets the All Blacks up the pitch. A quick pass from Richie Mo’unga earns the All Blacks a penalty but they try to play the advantage.
Rieko Ioane flies down the line and collects the ball but he’s dragged into touch before he can score.
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