In the legend. The South African Springboks adorned themselves with glory forever by winning their second consecutive World Cup, their fourth overall, ahead of the All Blacks (12-11) on Saturday.
After winning the World Cup in 1995, 2007 and 2019, South Africa established itself on the throne of world rugby by becoming the most successful team in the competition. Before the New Zealanders, crowned in 1987, 2011 and 2015.
The Boks have never lost in a World Cup final and have dominated New Zealand in 1995 (15-12 AD), England in 2007 (15-6) and again in 2019 (32-12).
They also retain the Webb-Ellis Cup, a first since … the All Blacks, authors of the 2011-2015 double.
Far from the lyrical flights of their legendary teammates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, then considered the greatest All Black team in history, the 2019 and 2023 Springboks relied on the kicking game of their already crucial opener Handré Pollard (12 points) . four years ago to aim for a new crown and secure an eternal place in the rugby pantheon.
To build this world victory, the thinking minds of the Boks Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, four years after their title in Japan, were able to rely on what constitutes their strength: a titanium package, a stubborn conquest and, above all, a bench as powerful as it is decisive.
Third-row Deon Fourie, who can also help out as a hooker, a short-lived player from Lyon and Grenoble, had to come into the game after four minutes to replace the squad’s only No. 2, Bongi Mbonambi, who had injured his knee. With success, as he managed 21 tackles, seven fewer than the omnipresent Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Performance four
The wrecking ball Ox Nche (52nd) or the colossal RG Snyman (52nd) and Kwagga Smith (60th) also came off the bench and contributed to the building of the rainbow nation that was once rocked by the temporary exclusions of captain Siya Kolisi (46th), future Racing 92 player, and winger Cheslin Kolbe (73rd), Blues executioner in the quarter.
They also and above all knew how to take advantage of New Zealand’s unusual indiscipline, marked by five conceded penalties, but above all by the yellow card for the third row, Shannon Frizell (3rd), and the conceded card that was turned into red by the bunker Captain Sam Cane (34th).
The Springboks were extremely pragmatic and were clearly aiming for the World Cup in France, which would eclipse the Rugby Championship. And despite the defeat against Ireland (13:8), the Boks fought tirelessly for this title and dominated the group in particular against Scotland (18:3), Romania (76:0) and Tonga (49:18). Stage. Before they eliminated France (29:28) in the quarter and then England (16:15) in the half, already by one point.
A bit of luck may have benefited them in the final, such as Aaron Smith’s blocked attack (54th) or Jordie Barrett’s missed penalty (74th) at the very end of the game.
It took both luck and talent to beat this incredibly brave New Zealand team, led by the fantastic Brodie Retallick, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett.
The full-back, voted the best player in the world in 2016 and 2017, also scored the only try of the game. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Springboks from making history.
They will have the opportunity to tighten their grip on world rugby four years from now in Australia during a World Cup currently featuring 24 players.
The northern hemisphere, which has won only one World Cup with England in 2003, is warned: it will have to be strong to derail the South African machine.