New Zealand 11 South Africa 12
By Liam Napier at Stade de France
Dashed dreams for the courageous All Blacks.
A record fourth global title for the Springboks by the barest of margins after a controversy and card-filled World Cup final.
New Zealand 11 South Africa 12
By Liam Napier at Stade de France
Dashed dreams for the courageous All Blacks.
A record fourth global title for the Springboks by the barest of margins after a controversy and card-filled World Cup final.
One point separates heartbreak and ecstasy at Stade de France as the ultimate redemption fell out of reach for the All Blacks.
As they have throughout their journey to this pinnacle juncture the All Blacks dug to the depths of adversity after battling for 42 minutes with one less player on the field following Sam Cane’s red card and Shannon Frizell’s yellow – both in the first half.
Ian Foster’s men never stopped believing. They pushed forward and constantly chased victory to hold the Springboks scoreless in the second half.
In the end, though, they could not land the final definitive blow to steal the Webb Ellis Cup.
A rumble in the Paris rain gave way to a gripping second-half epic as the All Blacks refused to surrender. They embraced ambition and intent but finishing eluded them.
The devastating defeat marks the end of an era for departing legends Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, and Dane Coles as well as Nepo Laulala, Shannon Frizell and Leicester Fainga’anuku – all of whom now leave the All Blacks.
Ian Foster and his coaching team, including Joe Schmidt, Greg Feek and Scott McLeod, conclude their tenures with silver medals too.
Questions and what-if moments will long linger.
Cheslin Kolbe’s yellow card for an intentional knockdown with eight minutes remaining left the Springboks wing inconsolable. Kolbe handed Jordie Barrett a 50-metre penalty on the angle to push the All Blacks in front for the first time in the match but the strike sailed agonisingly to the left of the posts.
Kolbe couldn’t watch the closing stages as Damian McKenzie attempted to spark the All Blacks’ last-ditch counter-attack but the Boks held on.
Sam Cane’s red card will haunt the All Blacks after they dominated the second half. Had they retained their full contingent, they could have prevailed.