RWC2023 Final – Springboks v All Blacks: All you need to know

The Springboks from South Africa played in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand’s All Blacks at the Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October and won the final 12-11 to take the Webb Ellis Trophy for a record breaking 4th time and 2nd time in a row. Springboks have now won in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023.

South Africa have played at 8 of the 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments, having been unable to compete in the first two tournaments due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era, and have won 50% of tournaments in which they participated.

Table of Contents

1995 Rugby World Cup Final

24 June 1995

South Africa	15–12 (a.e.t.)	New Zealand
Pen: Joel Stransky (3) Drop: Joel Stransky (2)		Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens

Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Attendance: 65 000 (capacity)
Referee: Ed Morrison

2007 Rugby World Cup Final

20 October 2007
21:00

England	6–15	South Africa
Pen: Wilkinson (2/2) 13′, 44′	Report	Pen: Montgomery (4/4) 7′, 16′, 40′, 51′ Steyn (1/2) 62′

Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,430
Referee: Alain Rolland

2019 Rugby World Cup Final

2 November 2019
18:00 JST(UTC+09)

England	12–32	South Africa
Pen: Farrell (4/5) 23′, 35′, 52′, 60′	Report	Try: Mapimpi 66′ c Kolbe 74′ c Con: Pollard (2/2) 67′, 75′ Pen: Pollard (6/8) 10′, 26′, 39′, 43′, 46′, 58′

International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Attendance: 70,103
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

2023 Rugby World Cup final

28 October 2023
21:00 CEST(UTC+2)

New Zealand	11–12	South Africa
Try: B. Barrett 58′ m Pen: Mo’unga (2/2) 17′, 38′	Report	Pen: Pollard (4/4) 3′, 13′, 19′, 34′

Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,065
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

This page serves as a marked of that historic occasion with news info, team sheets, results, comments, match reports and reactions after the Final on Saturday.

Tickets to the final cost:

Category 4 – 100 Euros (R2 026.31)
Category 3 – 200 Euros (R4 052.62)
Category 2 – 450 Euros (R9 118.40)
Category 1 – 950 Euros (R19 249,96)

Index:

Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final

England’s Wayne Barnes will take charge of the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on 28 October, with Australia’s Nic Berry to referee the bronze final between Argentina and England a day earlier.
England’s Wayne Barnes will take charge of the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.

Barnes, the world’s most-capped referee with 110 tests having made his debut with Fiji v Samoa in Suva in June 2006, will become the second Englishman to officiate a Rugby World Cup final after Ed Morrison, who was in charge when New Zealand and South Africa last met in the title decider in 1995.

The 44-year-old adds his name to an honour roll of Rugby World Cup final referees that also features Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia, 1987), Derek Bevan (Wales, 1991), Andre Watson (South Africa, 1999 and 2003), Alain Rolland (Ireland, 2007), Craig Joubert (South Africa, 2011), Nigel Owens (Wales, 2015) and Jérôme Garcès (France, 2019).

It will be a record 27th Rugby World Cup match as referee for Barnes in what is his fifth tournament. The final will be his sixth match in the middle during France 2023, equalling the record he set at RWC 2019 when he took charge of New Zealand’s defeat of Wales in the bronze final in Tokyo.

Barnes will have compatriots Karl Dickson and Matthew Carley as his assistant referees with Tom Foley named as the Television Match Official.

Assistant coach Human, Kleyn, Orie (RSA) – ‘Bongi is a very important piece of our puzzle’:

Comments from South Africa assistant coach Daan Human and second-rows Jean Kleyn and Marvin Orie at a media briefing as they prepare to face New Zealand in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France.

Daan Human, assistant coach

On the accusation from Tom Curry:

“It’s being dealt with by World Rugby and South Africa Rugby at the moment. From our side I really can’t comment on something like that.”

On 23 October World Rugby issued a statement regarding alleged discriminatory language in semi-final 2 on Saturday, 21 October saying:

World Rugby takes all allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously.

We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday.

On how Bongi Mbonambi is dealing with it:

“He had a perfect training this afternoon, well not perfect but we strive to have a perfect training. I can’t really comment on that.”

On Mbonambi’s value to the team:

“Bongi has been part of this group for the last six years. He is a very important piece of our puzzle, he is definitely very important to us like all the other players.”

On Mbonambi’s character:

“He is definitely one of our leaders in the group as well, a great guy. A great family man and I know his kids always look after my kids when they come to the hotel. He is a very humble guy, down to earth and a very hard worker like all the other players, which they should be if they want to play for the Springboks.”

On if Mbonambi is shocked by the accusation:

“I haven’t discussed that [with him]. But to be straightforward and honest with you, he is a calm guy. He is well spoken and I don’t want to actually go into it because we have a World Cup final in six days’ time. Like I said I am more concentrated on the forwards.”

On if they have another hooker on standby:

“I can tell you one thing, we have three hookers [including Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden] in the group. Three guys who are capable of playing hooker so we are very comfortable having three hookers. If you want to go into a final, you must have two hookers.”

On the scrum:

“We have worked hard in the last four years to get to this match. It will always be a part of the way we play, like the lineout, maul, kicking game. We can strive to get better, we are not where we want to be yet. If it plays a big role in our game [final] it would be good, but we’re still working on a perfect picture.”

On prop Ox Nche:

“I was fortunate enough to coach him ever since I think he was 18-years-old, so for the last 10 years. I must say he has made progress, I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. I think from 28 to 32 as a front-row player that is when you are getting into your prime. I think there is still a lot of work he can do. He is a great player and person but it is a cohesion effort. It is not a one-man show. You cannot solve problems or go forward by yourself.”

On needing a good start against New Zealand:

“A good start is always a good thing, but the most important thing is to finish well. Games have been won in the 80th minute. The New Zealand team will be the same [wanting a good start]. In our first game against them this year they built up a 17-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and we managed to change things in the second match (at Twickenham), but we are now six or seven games down the line, and they have made progress in their scrum.”

On the 1995 final and his memory of it:

“We watched the game at the neighbours’ house. There weren’t enough chairs, I was sitting on the ground with my two brothers. It was a very good memory. I don’t think I could understand what it meant when we beat them. It’s almost 30 years ago. I remember the festive vibe in the country, it meant a lot.”

On whether winning a fourth RWC would make South Africa the best rugby team of all time:

“I would never say that. Rugby World Cup is only ever four years, you are only champion for the night you win it. The next day you start planning for the next one. I wouldn’t say it would make us the best team ever, we would be very proud to [win a fourth].”

On being dominated by England for a large part of the semi-final:

“All credit to England. They had us on the back foot for a while. I think it is a good thing, it was a good wake-up call. We’ll need to lift our game and be better if we want to be the world champions again. But England were very good, it was the best performance I have seen from an English side in a very long time.”

Jean Kleyn, second-row

On his journey to the Springboks jersey:

“I think I’ve caught myself thinking about it probably too often. It’s a strange one because if you’d asked me six months ago if I at all thought I had any chance of being here at the World Cup final playing for the Springboks, I would have told you you are absolutely insane.

“I’ll probably wake up when it’s all said and done and think, ‘was that a dream or did it actually happen?’. It was outside the realm of thinking. It’s been a fantastic journey for me. It’s been an absolute pleasure being part of it.”

On the allegation against Bongi Mbonambi:

“Bongi is a great guy, I have known him since we played together at the Stormers. He is a good individual. I’m not going to comment on it, I’m not going to justify it.”

On Mbonambi’s character:

“Passionate guy, a family man. He has captained the Springboks a few times now. He is an upstanding guy, I don’t think there’s a fella in the squad who doesn’t like him.”

On messages from Munster fans:

“I’ve been absolutely inundated with messages from Munster supporters – obviously only after Ireland fell out. Then they really came after us and said, ‘listen, you’re our second team now, guys’.

“The support was really heartfelt from a lot of Munster fans and it made it a lot easier for me because I thought it would be quite a negative reaction when I declared for the Springboks. From my history with Irish media, I figured there would be a few negative articles but it was resoundingly positive, so I was really happy about that.”

On the haka and if they have spoken about how they will respond:

“I think it is a fantastic tradition. I think it is very much a part of world rugby. It’s part of the game against New Zealand, it is one of the things you have to face. I played that game at Twickenham [pre-RWC], it was my first time facing the haka and it was a cool experience. We will honour it.”

Marvin Orie, second-row

On visiting a local school:

“That was a fantastic experience for us. On a personal level, when I was a kid whenever there was professional rugby players around and whenever you could get an interaction it is something that stays with you for the rest of your life. Hopefully that interaction stays with those kids. Hopefully they aspire to play for France, hopefully they won’t get too good to beat South Africa in the future. It’s important for us to stay in touch with the next generation.”

Stats review – what do the figures reveal about the two finalists?

The semi-finals were two very different matches with New Zealand running away with their victory and South Africa snatching the result at the death but what did the matches reveal about the finalists?

New Zealand v South Africa, Stade de France

South Africa and New Zealand arrive in the final of Rugby World Cup 2023 having each lost a pool-stage match against much-fancied opposition, Ireland and France respectively, who the other then defeated in the quarter-finals. But according to the statistics, the comparisons pretty much end there.

On paper, this is a match between one team, the All Blacks, who top the rankings when it comes to many supposedly key metrics, and another, the Springboks, who lead the way in just two.

While New Zealand boast the best red-zone efficiency (an average of 3.89 points per entry into the opposition 22) most line-breaks (13.5 per game) and most carries over the gain-line (84.5 per game at a tournament-leading 61%), they also have the second-best scrum success (94%) and the best lineout success (98%).

“Tonight the main battle was with our forwards,” scrum-half Aaron Smith explained after the 44-6 semi-final win against Argentina. “They were able to control the set-piece.”

The main beneficiaries of this attacking platform were wingers Mark Tele’a (two line-breaks, 14 defenders beaten, 98 metres made) and Will Jordan (pictured), whose hat-trick of tries brought his tally for RWC 2023 to eight – equalling the record of Jonah Lomu (NZL), Bryan Habana (RSA) and Julian Savea (NZL).

“It is pretty humbling, to be honest,” Jordan said. “When you think about those guys, they were all huge legends of the game and, particularly in the position I play, really trail-blazed the way to play the game as a winger. So that’s pretty cool.”

South Africa will be a different proposition defensively, though. They have conceded the third-fewest penalties (averaging 8.5 per match) and made the most dominant tackles (14.3 per match), led by second-row Eben Etzebeth and centre Damian de Allende with eight overall, second only to Tom Curry (ENG) in the tournament, while another second-row, Franco Mostert, missed none of his 19 tackles in the semi-final.

Then there’s the scrum, which has improved ominously as the tournament has progressed, with 100 per cent success on their own put-in against the heavyweight packs of France and England in the knockout stages, thanks in part to the Springboks’ much-vaunted ‘bomb squad’.

“Ox [Nche] and the guys behind him have been special,” South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said. “We take pride in our scrums. It took a while.

Indeed, it was three scrum penalties in the second-half that finally broke English resistance. The decisive one, in the 77th minute, perhaps demonstrated the Springboks’ greatest quality – one that can’t be measured by statistics alone: their mentality.

“They are never out of it,” New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod explained on Monday. “They come from a country where they are hardened and they know how to stay in the fight.”

Forwards coach Ryan, Papali’i (NZL) – ‘They’ve got the Bomb Squad, we could have the Easy Company’

PARIS – Comments from New Zealand forwards coach Jason Ryan and flanker Dalton Papali’i at a media briefing ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup 2023 final against South Africa at Stade de France.
Jason Ryan, forwards coach

On his pride in how far New Zealand’s scrum has come:

“Well, we got to the final, so that’s not a bad stride. We’ve made some good progress in a few areas. We are trending in the right direction and looking forward to a decent crack against the Boks, who we respect immensely.

“The boys have shown a lot of care. We have challenged them in certain areas on the training field and had some good honest conversations in our meetings. We’ve set ourselves up to give ourselves a chance. I am extremely proud of what we’ve achieved and we’ve got one to go.”

On what challenge South Africa bring that is different to semi-final opponents Argentina:

“Their set-piece is phenomenal. They are a big team. They have got a really clear identity of the way they want to play and they’ve got good bits of variation of how they use the ball. ”

On how proud he is of New Zealand’s forwards:

“I am proud of all of them, the hookers as well. They’ve all given themselves a chance to be selected. They’ve all been competing. We’ve got faith in the lot of them.”

On the need to maintain discipline in the final:

“Accuracy is a big part of discipline. Often you talk about discipline but you’ve got to be accurate. Discipline can mean that sometimes you are a little bit passive as well.

“This contest is going to be a title fight.

“It’s going to be huge and accuracy and momentum shifts are a big part of it. Momentum shifts will swing and they can swing really quickly, the scoreboard can change quickly. Both teams can score and get momentum so being accurate around the park is quite an important one.”

On emotions with several players retiring from test rugby after RWC 2023 final:

“We’ve talked about farewells. We’ve talked this week about being the best that we can. We had quite a nice night last night as a team and some of our experienced leaders spoke about what it’s been to be an All Black and their previous experiences in World Cups, as well as some of the younger boys.

“That’s been a special part of our week and it was nice last night listening to some of those guys. Anyone that has played 100 plus tests, you’ve got some stories haven’t you.”

On what legacy scrum-half Aaron Smith will leave behind:

“A pretty special one. He has been right up there as the best half-back in the world for a long time. Phenomenal man. I’ve always had so much respect for ‘Nug’ and the way he played the game from when I was involved in Super Rugby. Just his energy and the way he challenges and barks at his forward pack is good, he keeps everyone honest.

“He leaves not only a great legacy. He is a great New Zealander to be fair.”

On taking on South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’:

“It would be good to take some gas out of that bomb, wouldn’t it? They have got their DNA as a forward pack. We’ve got trust in our plan this week and we believe we will be able to be there right until the end.”

On if he thought South Africa let themselves down with their semi-final performance against England:

“I don’t think they let themselves down at all. They are playing in a final. It doesn’t matter if you win your semis or quarter-final by one point or 30. You have just got to get to the final. They will have confidence, they know how to win World Cups. They love the big stage as we do. They are the current world champions and hold the trophy.

“Last week is irrelevant for this game. This whole competition, what’s happened before, is irrelevant.”

On what South Africa have added to their game:

“The physicality is a big challenge. When you are looking at previewing test matches and rugby matches, especially as forwards coach, they really pride themselves on their physicality and they are good at it. It’s a big part of what they do. They’ve also brought some good variation in some of their line-outs and their defence is right on. They are pressuring teams and they are good around the breakdown. All parts of their game they have been chipping away at to set themselves up for this final.”

On Sam Cane’s role in the New Zealand team:

“Sam has really grown as a captain. He has really fronted in the last couple of weeks on the field. He has good conversations and he has a phenomenal leadership group around him as well which is an important part of it. Most of those guys are helping him out. He’s started to get his body right. He’s had a few niggles, but that’s behind him.

“He has got confidence in his shoulder. His work around the ground and the collision area has been right on form. That’s a big part of him. You play well first, then you are leading.”

On if there is too much emphasis on ‘South Africa’s ‘bomb squad’:

“No, they are just playing to their strengths. It’s a big part of what they do. It’s worked for them. We’ve got a good plan. The referees will make their decision on what they see. Those pictures have got to be clear, especially in big moments.”

On how scrums have been officiated so far:

“It’s been pretty consistent. There have been a couple here and there that the timings might have been off. Conversations have been happening all the time and they try to do the best they can along with the ARs [assistant referees]. The communication has been pretty open. A decision can happen pretty quick when you’ve got 16 guys trying to hit each other at full force.”

On if he is enjoying this week personally:

“The pressure is a privilege. For myself it’s a massive opportunity to represent my country. The messages the whole team have had from New Zealand the last few days has been unbelievable. The support has been coming in and the people doing their shopping in black. We feel it. There’s been a lot of messages, emails, voice mails. It is just special that the country is behind us as it’s the country’s team.”

On the history between the two teams:

“The history is a big part of it. You build that up probably more towards the end of the week. We’ve got to make sure we get our game right first and foremost. We believe we have got a clear plan, then as we get closer to the game, the old mental side of the weeks kicks in.

“We talked a bit about legacy last week. But it’s no secret it’s been a massive tradition. It’s awesome. You love going to South Africa, being part of the All Blacks and getting into some braai’s (BBQs). It’s just a special place to tour and they bring a special part of their game that makes it just a great rivalry. To be doing it in a World Cup final, that’s when you want to be playing, that’s when you want to be coaching. All you want to do is set yourself up for a gold medal.”

On how he would summarise South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus in three words:

“In three words? I don’t know. Passionate, authentic. I haven’t got another one. That’ll do. I haven’t thought about Rassie at all to be honest.”

On if the scrummaging of Ox Nche catches his attention:

“Telling you mate, it does. He is some human, isn’t he. Wow. He is pretty strong at what he does but we’ve got a pretty good plan we believe in as well. We’ll be up for it.”

On working with head coach Ian Foster:

“One of the great things about ‘Foz’ is how much he loves the All Blacks. It’s all about the team, every decision he makes. He has been through a lot but the All Blacks have been through a lot.”

On if expects mind games from Rassie Erasmus and if they will have an impact:

“Not sure and no.”

On working with fellow coach Greg Feek:

“He has done a great job. I’m really impressed with how he has taken our forward pack, especially in the scrum, our props. He has got a lot of international experience as well, 100 plus tests [coaching] for Ireland. He has got the detail there and done some good work with the boys. And he has got good banter.”

On South Africa hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi and if they have missed the injured Malcolm Marx:

“Malcolm Marx is a world-class hooker, but he (Mbonambi) has played big minutes and done a good job for them.”

Dalton Papali’i, flanker

On the All Blacks’ ‘Easy Company’ taking on South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’:

“I’ll tell you a quick story, I’ve got a little group happening in the team room at our hotel and we’re watching Band of Brothers and the 101st Airborne and their Easy Company. So, I made a little joke saying ‘you know they’ve got the ‘Bomb Squad’, so we could have the ‘Easy Company’. We want to go and finish the job and be in the trenches’.

“Talking about the Bomb Squad, man they’ve proven themselves. They can come on and change a game like that. So, we sort of need to identify whoever is on the bench and that, need to really be screwed on up top and give it hell.”

On the emotional impact it had hearing the leaders of the team speak to the squad on Monday:

“It was quite special to hear some of the things those certain players said from the heart. You know, you think you know someone but once they open up and really be vulnerable in front of a team, it was quite special to hear.

“It was truly something special when you hear those boys open up. You know those leaders have been through a lot in their careers, the highs and the lows, the off-field and on-field stuff, and for them to open up, it sort of makes you feel welcomed and you want to play this game for them.

“There were a few tears and I think that’s awesome to see, players showing vulnerability, just opening up about how much this tour and this sort of game means.

“There were some (people) saying this is probably one of the most important games of All Blacks history. (The) All Blacks went through a bit of a hard path to get here, media, friends, family even criticising us and all that, and we stuck together. We weren’t even said to be in the final and now look at us, we’re here.

“Different players take it differently and some of the older players probably were hit a little bit harder and it was good to see just a bit of emotion and the want from them. Seeing that gives all the other players an extra two, three per cent to think ‘OK, we are going to the well and we’ve got to give it our all’.

On the reality of playing in a Rugby World Cup final:

“This is the moment on top of the mountain that everyone chases, every kid. You know growing up, you sort of have that thought, ‘Oh man, one day I would love to be there’ but to make it a reality, to go through all the hard yards getting to this game, ooof, it’s going to be a big one.

“I think it will probably hit me when it comes to the captain’s run or the morning of the game, where you think ‘this is it’. There’s gonna be a lot of excitement levels in that but what the leaders have done really well in this team is being able to put a cap on it and (say) ‘OK boys, we realise you are feeling this right now, enjoy it but when the whistle blows, we’ve got a job to do’. It makes it more clear in the head.

“We talk about having fire in the belly and ice in the head.”

On feeling the pressure to make sure the iconic leaders of the team go out on a high:

“There’s a few leaders in the team, it’s going to be their last game in the jersey, so it’s a big game for us and even the other players that are staying, knowing that we want to send those boys out on a high. How much they put into the jersey. We are standing on their…what’s that quote? It’s standing on the shoulders of giants.”

On iconic second-rows Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick:

“One probably has a little bit more of a cool head, where the other one can give it hell. Probably that’s the balance they have between each other when they’re both playing together. That’s what makes them so good, because they’re both ends of the spectrum but it just works so well together.

“Probably what I have learned from them is they are who they are. All the ego, however much you put them on a pedestal, when you still go out and have a beer with them, it’s still them and you can have a bit of banter with them.”

On being behind captain Sam Cane in the fight for the number seven jersey:

“Man, he is playing some awesome footy. That is one man I have been picking his brain, maybe getting getting annoying because I am trying to learn off the best. But whatever I need to do to make this team in the best shape for the game, I am going to do.”

On the impact forwards coach Ryan has had on this team:

“He’s probably been one of the best forwards coaches I’ve had and I’ve only had for a short amount of time.

“He holds everyone accountable. You could have 100 games or even one game and he will still call you out. It sort of keeps you on your toes, which is a good thing. Pressure will always hold you accountable and he does that.

“He’s got good banter as well. So, he’s a mate but also he’ll hold you accountable when you’re on the job. He’s been massive for the shift in the forwards.”

John Smit, Schalk Brits – Boks Office podcast comments from South Africa World Cup winners John Smit and Schalk Brits:

Former South Africa captain John Smith and ex-Springboks hooker Schalk Brits on the Boks Office podcast previewing the Rugby World Cup 2023 final against New Zealand. You can watch and listen here.

On South Africa’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England:

John Smit: “There’s a level of stress there that you don’t seem to find anywhere else in your life. They took us down [the hole] with them and they got out, it was a jail break.”

Schalk Brits: “I definitely wouldn’t say complacency, it was a combination of playing Ireland, Scotland, Tonga then France. The way we play is quite direct, we try to out-maul, out-scrum and out-strategise from a kicking perspective. England came with a [better executed] plan.”

On the final:

Brits: “This particular squad has been building from 2019 and the focus was never [to win] 2019, it was 2023. It has been the hardest, no disrespect to 2007 or 2019, to go through what we have done and play all those big teams.”

Smit: “Saturday would mean we have played the top-six teams ranked in the world through this World Cup. That is insane. This is a tough road to get to this final.”

On South Africa liking the underdogs tag:

Brits: “The South African perspective is we like to have our backs against the wall. We want to be the underdogs. That is what Rassie [Erasmus] will say.”

Smit: “I think it has to do with where we come from, we are quite resilient. We always feel back home we are fighting through something, for something. Things aren’t always comfortable, it can be a struggle back home for a lot of people.

“Our mentality is to always knuckle down and rise up against adversity and overcome. That is why I think we fit into that seat a little bit around ‘stuff them, we want to climb up that mountain’. The worst thing for us is to sit on top and talk about how good we are.”

On New Zealand:

Smit: “I don’t think they will make many changes. I would say they are at their best in the team they picked against Argentina.

“Their semi-final, without doubt, helps them in the final. There wasn’t half the amount of intensity or physicality. Take the body, what they went through v Argentina compared to what our guys went through for 80 minutes. We have a day shorter. They will definitely rock up more physically restored.”

Brits: “I couldn’t understand why [Brodie] Retallick was playing off the bench, he made a massive impact. Retallick is, for me, one of the best players. He brings a different dimension to New Zealand.”

On South Africa selection:

Smit: “Everyone will want to see Ox [Nche] in there but we have to somehow think it’s part of the play. His first couple of scrums against a guy who has been on for 50/60 minutes [is impactful] and then their second-choice tighthead comes on.”

Brits: “The impact he [Nche] brings on from a mauling, scrumming, running perspective is great. I would start with Handre [Pollard] to create scoreboard pressure. Then I would bring Manie [Libbok] on. He could either close the game or open it up.”

On their fears of the final:

Brits: “That is my biggest fear in the game [a poor start]. When we put New Zealand under the pump, from the word go and the way we defend, we want teams to start running against us. We saw against England, they kicked a lot and turned our rush defence around a lot.”

On what winning a RWC feels like:

Smit: “The first thing that went through my mind when the final whistle blew was relief. I was more relived than anything else. We never understood the impact of what happened or what was happening at home. You work for four years and it could all be for nothing, you come second and it’s gone for ever. [So] first relief and then so lucky to seal a four-year journey off with a trophy.”

Brits: “I think we were 50/60 minutes in, England had that massive attacking phase and they kept the ball. We felt after that phase, they couldn’t score points, then Cheslin [Kolbe] scored the try, it was so enjoyable to watch that game.

“After that try we were already celebrating on the bench. It wasn’t a relief factor but it was a ‘we’ve done it again’. Back at the hotel we all just stayed there and celebrated.”

On the scrum discussions:

Smit: “If you want to whine about scrums go and watch league.”

On referee Ben O’Keeffe being booed:

Smit: “Referees do a difficult job, they are always under the pump. They always take abuse. Getting booed in the stadium, that is the lowest point of this World Cup, that was horrible.

“Comments like that [the French team criticising the ref after their quarter-final] shouldn’t be allowed to be made without consequences. There has been no consequences hence the crowd think that’s acceptable behaviour.”

Coach Jones (RSA) – The whole squad is focused on New Zealand

PRESLES – Comments from South Africa coach Felix Jones at a media briefing on Wednesday looking ahead to their Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand at Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.

Felix Jones, assistant coach

On the on-going investigation into hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi not having any effect on the mood of the camp:

“The mood in the camp is, as you would expect for a World Cup final, everyone is hugely excited, a high level of focus.”

On the historic significance of playing the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup final:

“I don’t think it’s something that’s been thrown around too much early in the week. But I think everyone has it in their mind, they are conscious of the rivalry.

“It drives excitement and it adds to the occasion.”

On improvements he has seen in New Zealand’s game since the pre-World Cup warm-up game in August:

“The introduction of Joe (Schmidt) and Jason Ryan, there have been many good developments in their game.

“I would say the ruck. There has been development in their kicking game. I would say those two areas would be key.”

On summing up his time with the Springboks:

“Hard question. I don’t think I could sum it up. I could just say that I am really grateful. It’s been incredible.”

Nienaber recalls record-breaking 2019 RWC final halfback duo for NZ showdown

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made only two changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final, recalling the 2019 final halfback pairing of Handré Pollard and Faf de Klerk to the run-on side, making them the most capped nine-and-ten combination in Springbok history.

The pair start together for the 25^th time, moving past Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball (24 Tests), to make them the most experienced halfbacks in Springbok history.

They are among a starting team which features 10 players who started in the RWC final four years ago and is the most experienced in Springbok history with a combined total of 987 caps (eclipsing the record set the previous week against Egland of 895 Test caps).

A further four players on the bench also featured in the match-23 in the final at Yokohama Stadium, while 15 of the players in the squad appeared in the Springboks’ 35-7 victory the last time South Africa and New Zealand met at Twickenham in August.

Only two players in Nienaber’s forward pack did not start the 2019 final – lock Franco Mostert and prop Steven Kitshoff – with both playing off the bench four years ago. Mostert is paired once again with Eben Etzebeth, while Kitshoff partners hooker Bongi Mbonambi and prop Frans Malherbe in the front row.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (both flankers) and Duane Vermeulen (No 8) will again unite in an impactful loose trio.

In the backline, Pollard and De Klerk – who started on the replacements’ bench in the semi-final against England and the quarter-final against France – replace the duo of Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach, who both drop out of the 23 to accommodate a split of seven forwards and one back on the bench.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel patrolling the midfield and the back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse (both wings) and Damian Willemse (fullback) further sparking the backline.

No 8 Jasper Wiese and lock Jean Kleyn are drafted onto the bench, having been among the non-playing squad last week.

The only enforced change among the replacements is at prop where Trevor Nyakane replaces Vincent Koch, who is nursing a knee injury. He joins Ox Nche and Deon Fourie as front-row cover, while the Munster duo of RG Snyman and Kleyn will serve as the back-up locks, and Kwagga Smith and Wiese the back-up loose forwards.

The backline player on the bench is fullback Willie le Roux.

“This is an experienced team with several players who played in the last Rugby World Cup final and who know exactly what to expect at Stade de France on Saturday and what it will take to retain the title,” said Nienaber.

“The players who will be playing in their first World Cup final have also proven their worth as warriors throughout this campaign and they are all ready for this massive occasion.

“We have said many times that we pick teams for varying gameplans depending on the opponent and that we use all 23 players to try and achieve those goals.

“We’ve gone from a five-three bench split to a seven-one split to give us the best chance of being successful. We have plans in place to mitigate for injuries in the backline, but we’re excited about our plan and we embrace the risk.”

Nienaber thanked the non-playing members of the squad for their contribution to a season-long campaign which has seen the coaches manage the load and develop combinations among 42 players in 12 matches.

“This a huge day for the entire squad – and the guys who played for us earlier in the season,” he said.

“As a coaching team we are proud of the contribution that every player in the larger squad made in getting us to the final to create this opportunity.

“We know we are in for a colossal battle. Every point and inch will count in this match and we know it will take another top-class effort to come out on top on Saturday.”

Nienaber stressed the importance of taking every point-scoring chance that is created while delivering a powerful and accurate performance in the set pieces and on defence. He said the squad was focused on making the country and the team’s 60 million plus supporters proud this weekend.

“The messages of support and videos from home have inspired us immensely and we know the magnitude of this occasion, not just for the players and management – who have made huge sacrifices to get us here – but for what this day means for our country,” said Nienaber.

“We are proud of the fact that we have given some hope and excitement to so many people in the last few months, and we’ll give everything to bring further joy to our wonderful nation on Saturday.”

The Bok coach expected a powerful onslaught from the All Blacks and said they posed threats in every aspect of the game: “Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always special and hard-fought, and with this being a World Cup final, the rivalry is expected to be more intense. They have an experienced squad with a physical pack and a backline that can create magic from nothing, so we’ll have to be at our best on attack and defence to get the result.”

Springbok team to face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final:

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 38 caps, 56 pts (4t, 9c, 4p, 2d)

14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 65 points (13t)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 67 caps, 75 points (15t)

12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 77 caps, 55 points (11t)

11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 30 caps, 91 points (14t, 3c, 5p)

10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 68 caps, 686 points (7t, 96c, 148p, 5dg)

9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 54 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5pg)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 75 caps, 15 pts (3t)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) 75 caps, 40 points (8t)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92) – 82 caps, 50 points (10t)

5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat, Japan) – 72 caps, 15 points (3t)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 118 caps, 30 points (6t)

3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 68 caps, 5 points (1t)

2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 67 caps, 65 points (13t)

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 82 caps, 10 points (2t)

Replacements

16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 12 caps, 10 pts (2t)

17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 27 caps, 0 pts

18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 66 caps, 5 pts (1t)

19 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 6 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)

20 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t)

21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 39 caps, 35 pts (7t)

22 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1t)

23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 92 caps, 75 pts (15t)

Stats and facts:

Springbok record against New Zealand:

Played: 105, Won: 39. Lost: 62, Drawn: 4. Points for: 1 729; Points against: 2 185; Tries scored: 168; Tries conceded: 239. Win %: 37.1%.

Milestones:

Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard will start together as halfback combination for the 25th time, moving past Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball (24 Tests) as most experienced halfbacks in Springbok history.
Bongi Mbonambi will move into joint-fourth place on the list of most starts at hooker, passing Malcolm Marx with his 35th start. The first four on the list are John Smit (81), Bismarck du Plessis (50), James Dalton (40) and Adriaan Strauss (35).

Miscellaneous:

The Boks have played 12 Tests against four different opponents at the Stade de France, winning nine and losing three.
If used off the bench, Trevor Nyakane will play his 49th Test as a replacement for South Africa. Only Steven Kitshoff (54) has more appearances as a substitute.
The Springboks and the All Blacks have met on five previous occasions at a Rugby World Cup. The Boks won the first two (the final in 1995 and the third-place playoff in 1999) and New Zealand the other three (quarter-final in 2003, semi-final in 2015 and pool match in 2019).
This is the most experienced team in Springbok history with a combined total of987caps (eclipsing the record set the previous week against England of 895 Test caps).
There are 348 caps in the backline, with 639 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 301 caps.
The average caps per player in the backline is 50, the forwards 80, while the players on the bench average 38.

World Rugby Scraps Investigation into Tim Curry’s Allegations of Discriminatory Language by Bongi Mbonambi

World Rugby has undertaken a review of allegations made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language by South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday along with a further allegation brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.

Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.

It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.

World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week. There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity.

Comments from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber, captain Siya Kolisi, prop Steven Kitshoff, centre Jesse Kriel and scrum-half Faf de Klerk after the announcement of their team to play New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final on Saturday, 28 October at Stade de France:

Jacques Nienaber, head coach

On being able to focus on the final after World rugby concluded their investigation into allegations against Mbongeni Mbonambi:

“We are fortunate in terms of support of a legal team and everybody who worked behind the scenes. We were shielded from it.

“Where we stay we are almost in our own bubbles. For us it was business as usual and we focused on rugby and that was taken care of in the background.”

On the 7:1 split of forwards to backs on the bench and on who will play scrum-half if anything happens to Faf de Klerk:

“The team is not 15, it is 23. We always say that. When you do squad selection there are a lot of things that influence that from medical to past performances and a lot of analysis into New Zealand and where we think we can get the edge on them.

“Then the discussions starts between the coaches and it goes from a 5:3 to a 6:2 to a 7:1, then it goes back again. It is not a 10-minute discussion, it is hours and hours.

“Vincent Koch couldn’t train on Monday and we have a policy that if you can’t train on a Monday you are not up for selection.

“From a performance point of view, there is not a big gap. As coaches you always mitigate risk by prepping other people.

“In our case it will be Cheslin (Kolbe). He played sweeper in sevens which is the equivalent to scrum-half. He has always been a guy who, if we got a yellow card, would be the stand in half-back, not just this week but for a couple of weeks.”

On whether the 7:1 split on the bench is the best option to face New Zealand:

“I’m not going to say what the strengths and weaknesses of the All Blacks are, that would be stupid. But a lot of analysis went into it and at the end we went with a squad of 23. It could have been 6:2, 5:3, it doesn’t matter. You select a team that you think can get a result. The 23 we selected for a reason, and the reason is we think they can deliver and win us a back-to-back World Cup.

“How did the other guys take it? We explain to the whole squad why we are going a certain route. It is not about individual selection. It is for South Africa. As selectors we know there will be pressure on us if we don’t deliver a result but at the back of our minds we know this selection is for South Africa.

“The players take it like that. It is not about person or ego, not that they have egos, but you can’t think of that. You have to think about South Africa and the Springboks.”

On if he remembers the Rugby World Cup 1995 final with New Zealand:

“I remember it very well. I remember after the victory we were all in the streets. I was at uni then. I watched it back again about a year ago. It’s amazing how the game has changed.

“The game has really changed a lot. I think there were over 80 kicks in that game. And they played with a leather ball. There wasn’t any lifting in the line-outs so there were a lot of differences back then. The game has really changed a lot. The ball in play was under 24 minutes. There was literally no rugby, it was set-piece after set-piece.

“The game is a far better product now than it was back then, but not taking anything away from the game.”

On if the kicking game will be important given the weather forecast:

“There is a 60 per cent chance there will be rain either just before the game or in the game. We had a semi-final where we were exposed to that. The kicking game will be important, like it is in any final or semi-final, and gaining territory will be important.

“If you look at our team we have got numerous kickers. I don’t think there is a guy who can’t kick in our backs and I suppose a couple of forwards will put their hands up as well. There are a couple of options there.”

On South Africa facing all other teams in the top six in the world rankings up to and including the final:

“In a final it’s about the final. I don’t think the past will have any bearing on what’s going to happen on Saturday.

“Every quarter-final, semi-final is tough. Each test that you play has got specific tests that you have to pass to win the test. It is almost like an exam you write. The one thing that will help us is the character that you build going through those games. That is the one thing we can fall back on, that we were properly challenged in the games that we played and we had to find a way.

“We had to find a way in the semi-final when we were 15-6 down with a scrum in our 22. Fair play to the players – they found a way.

“I think back to 2021, we lost our 100th test match against New Zealand. We were leading until the 78th minute then [Jordie] Barrett kicked an incredible penalty from the left touch line to seal the game.

“We lost against England at Twickenham in the 81st minute, we lost against Australia in Australia in the 82nd minute. There were a few games when the clock was within a few minutes or over 80 minutes and we lost. The learnings we took out of those games helped us in the quarter-final and semi-final.”

On if fly-half Manie Libbok’s absence from the squad suggests South Africa are turning away from attacking game:

“No, not necessarily. Handre (Pollard) was injured, which was a big reason why Manie had to step up, and he is a brilliant rugby player. If we’d gone with 5:3 split he would have played. They are unlucky because of the tactics that we think we will deploy.

“World Cup finals are not necessarily the most spectacular affairs. If you look at past games it is always tight and this one is going to be tight. It’s going to be a grind.”

On being in his final week as South Africa’s head coach:

“It’s funny. I went for a run this morning and I was thinking about it. In 2011 when I was in New Zealand with John McFarland and we were very successful. I thought I’d have seven games with the Springboks and it was unbelievable. In 2016 I got another opportunity with the Boks but I’d already signed with Munster so I only had three test matches with the Boks.

“I thought when I left for Munster that’s it, then we came back to 2018. The point is, you don’t know the future.

“That’s how I see it. I’m not emotional. I don’t know if this is my last test match with the Boks or not. You can plan life as much as you want but life has its own ways. Destiny has its own way. I just focus on how you should approach the game, that any day can be your last day with the team. I just enjoy every single minute of it. I stay in the now and enjoy the players.

“As Siya said (see below), this will never happen in our lifetime again. Rather than thinking this might be the end or not, just stay in the moment. It’s probably the biggest occasion that we will ever be part and probably the biggest rugby game there has ever been. One and two playing each other in the World Cup final and whoever wins will be the first country to win four World Cups. It’s massive.

“I’ve twice been in positions where I’ve thought this is the end, I’ll never be here again, and look where we are now.”

On his time working with the EPD (Early Player Development) in South Africa:

“Before I joined the Springboks I was high-performance manager at South Africa Rugby. Of the EPD programme, Rassie (Erasmus) was general manager of rugby and I was underneath him.

“Damian Willemse was in the EPD programme, Manie Libbok, Jessie Kriel, Malcolm Marx, all guys I’ve worked with since they were 17. That’s what makes it so special.

“That’s why I enjoy the time with the players. I just sat in the changing room having a drink after one of the training sessions looking at the players and I had a story from every single one.

“Ox Nche at his rugby club and a first scrummaging session. I was wondering who is this guy and where’s he from. They were just dreaming to become Springboks. Fair play to them, they haven’t changed. They don’t have egos.

“The same Manie that was 17-year-old in a schools side with Damian Willemse, they are the same people. They haven’t become big-headed. If they are not selected they take it on the chin as they know it’s for South Africa, just like they did back then.

“It’s about teaching schoolkids, see how they grow as a person, how they become fathers. How they become men. It’s unbelievable to have been part of it, starting back in 2013. That’s 10 years now.”

Siya Kolisi, captain and flanker

On the prospect of playing the RWC final against New Zealand:

“We actually spoke about it yesterday. It’s huge. We’ve prepared as hard as we can. We know what to expect. I don’t think as a player it will ever get any bigger.

“They just turned it around quietly, behind the scenes they were doing their work and now they are here. We had to find our way too.

“The way that the coaches went the last year or so, we played over maybe 50 players to try and find the best.”

“I don’t think it’s stuff that you can dream about because it doesn’t happen often. I don’t think it will happen in our lifetime again to have two teams like this.”

On his support for England’s Tom Curry:

“I have spoken to him, I sent him a message. He is someone I respect.

“We can take it as players, when it comes to us directly it’s fine, but when it comes to your family it’s totally different and that’s exactly what he said to me.

“It’s the one part of the game we really don’t enjoy.

“I hope obviously it stops and he was able to prepare fas much as he could for the game that he’s playing tomorrow.

“I have let him know we are supporting him, we are thinking of him.”

On the whole squad buying in fully to the selection:

“It’s not about me. I can be disappointed for a little bit but I know the bigger thing (is) if we win.

“Those decisions get made and you find, am I going to sulk for me or am I going to think of the bigger project?

“When we win, South Africa wins. It doesn’t say this guy started or this guy kicked the winning penalty. When they write the name on the trophy they say South Africa.

“Handre (Pollard) covers 12. He can play 12. Something happens to Doogz (Damian de Allende), Handre can shift in. Those decisions get made because Damian Willemse can cover 10 and 12 and 15. And Cheslin (Kolbe) can play scrum-half, full-back and wing.

“When they pick the team they don’t just announce it, they explain to us all the situation. We make peace with it.

“For a guy like Manie (Libbok), he really wants to play. He was disappointed but he became Richie Mo’unga (All Blacks fly-half) for the team and gave us the best pictures we could get because he knows that’s the role he is asked to play for this specific game, as Handre (Pollard) had to do, as Marvin Orie (did), who has been amazing us. Everybody has a role to play.

“That’s just how we see it as a team, it’s far bigger than us.”

On what impresses him about this All Blacks team and opposing captain Sam Cane:

“The fight they have shown. I know how hard it can be when people and the media expect so much of the All Blacks team.

“A lot of people said they wouldn‘t play in a World Cup final, but the fight they’ve shown this year says a lot about the team. They could have just given up and said it’s just not our year. They kept on and now they are in a World Cup final.

“I know what a decent player Sam Cane is. I saw him in hospital and remember speaking to him. He had a lot of criticism about how he wasn’t playing well. But he worked and just put his head down and has played amazingly well and now he is here.

“People always focus about what you do on the field, but it’s the battle off the field that can take you to the next level. I’ve known him a long time and I respect him a lot. The fight he has shown on and off the field, the way he has led the team has been amazing, and with all the other leaders he has around him. He has done amazingly well and that’s why they are where they are today.

“It’s not easy. They have to play for a country that has been successful for so many years. That takes a lot of you. It does get lonely, it does get dark. You sit there and think, ‘am I capable of doing this?’, but then you have good men around you like I do who support you all the time.

“They also have stuck together. That’s what makes them a special team.”

On the four different languages in the South Africa national anthem and the impact this makes on the wider population:

“To hear the national anthem is amazing, and definitely now with different languages in it. We are a very diverse country and we really do most of the time celebrate our diversity, as we do in this team as well. I think the fact that I can come from a township and play rugby and also be able to sing the songs I used to sing in the township – I don’t forget where I come from, I am able to express myself in the team, I think that’s really amazing.

“It does a lot to us to also hear the isiXhosa commentary. A lot of people can’t watch rugby because they can’t afford (to) and also they don’t understand English. Now, you can hear it in your own language, sometimes on the radio people listen to the game. I think that’s really beautiful because it’s brought more people (in), it’s invited another, different kind of people to come and watch rugby.

“I am really proud that my language has been recognised and take full pride in that.”

On the legacy the Rugby World Cup 1995 final has on South Africa and this game:

“The game from 1995, it’s so special. I think I was four then. I didn’t get to watch but obviously seeing videos of it and also the significance of the game is huge. It opened a lot of doors for me and many others. It was an important game not just for the Eastern Cape, I think for South Africa in general.

“It can’t get bigger than this. It will mean a lot to South Africa, as we’ve seen what’s happening back at home. I am sure you’ve seen all the videos that are coming through. It’s huge, I can’t explain it.”

Steven Kitshoff, prop

On first playing New Zealand in the Junior World Cup in 2012:

“We were fortunate enough to get the victory there on home soil but this is a different beast. We all know how good the All Blacks are and how well they’ve been playing, and having started my international career in 2016, we struggled to get a victory over them until 2018 and from there it was very 50-50. This weekend is going to be exciting, different, a massive game, a historic game. The pressure is going to be immense but the atmosphere incredible.”

On what RG Snyman brings to the team and what he’s been through between World Cups:

“RG has been very unfortunate with injuries. He’s an incredible team man, the way he helps the team plan for the lineouts in the week is exceptional. We all remember the bomb squad in 2019 and the energy we had – he’s taken that same role this year, has been playing great rugby and brought next-level physicality. He’s a giant among men – extremely proud, and so fortunate to have him in our team.”

Faf de Klerk, scrum-half

On playing the All Blacks in the World Cup final:

“It means a lot because of the history we have with them, the great match in 1995. Getting to play them in the final again brings back a lot of memories for a lot of people back home. A lot of us were a bit too young to watch that game but that’s where the rivalry really started and looking at the players they have in their side, guys that we’ve been looking up to since we were at school, playing their final games now – there’s a lot that’s special about this game. To say you dreamed about this is probably wrong because I don’t think you dream that far. If it’s my last game, I want to remember it for putting everything on the line.”

On whether any of the 1995 players have been in touch:

“Just through some messages. There were a few of the guys at training sessions, so we’re feeling the support from them. We know how proud they made the country and how proud they are of us.”

On whether playing the whole 80 minutes, with no replacement scrum-half on the bench, changes his approach:

“No, not really. We’ve played like this before and I’ve played a lot of 80-minute games in my life. If you’re going to pace yourself, you’re going to lose this game. Luckily, we’ve got Kwagga [Smith] covering nine as well, as he doesn’t get tired, so that’s fine. Cheslin’s also been training there, so we’ve got back-up, but hopefully I can be there at the end when we win. I just have to make sure I’m recovered well for the game.”

On the All Blacks and his opposite number Aaron Smith:

“The way they’ve turned it around this year after playing [and losing to] us and the French shows a team who is close together, and the belief they have. They had a lot of scrutiny after those games but they’ve turned it around and are playing unbelievable rugby. Playing with a lot more confidence. It’s good to see a side who can internally sort things out. They have such great players and leaders and I think Aaron Smith is one of the best guys for that. He’s the gel, on and off the field, sharing his experiences and getting through tough times in his career. He’s been a great player for New Zealand and one of the guys I’ve definitely looked up to. Hopefully I can get one over on him for this game.”

On what makes the rivalry with New Zealand so special:

“I don’t really know why but for me it doesn’t get bigger than this. It’s just a feeling you have inside, you can all feel it, the supporters can feel it … it’s spectacular. I’m looking forward to it so much – there’s a lot more to play for that just that cup. You’re going to see some unbelievable rugby on the weekend.”

World Rugby investigation outcome:

SA Rugby has noted World Rugby’s announcement concerning their investigation into an incident arising from the Rugby World Cup semi-final and welcomes the decision that no further action will be taken.

Any form of racism is abhorrent to SA Rugby and the Springbok team whose purpose is to do everything in its power to assist in uniting our diverse and multicultural nation.

Bongi Mbonambi is an experienced, respected and decorated Test player and, needless to say, denied the allegations from the outset. SA Rugby has absolute faith in the honesty and integrity of Bongi.

The team’s focus remains, as it has throughout the week, on Saturday’s match against New Zealand.

SA Rugby will make no further comment on the matter.

New Zealand name team to play South Africa

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has announced his squad to play South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday 28 October.

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday, with one change to the starting line-up from the semi-final against Argentina and one among the replacements. Brodie Retallick (pictured) comes into the second row in place of Sam Whitelock, who drops to the bench. Tight-head prop Nepo Laulala replaces Fletcher Newell on the bench.

1 Ethan de Groot
2 Codie Taylor
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 Brodie Retallick
5 Scott Barrett
6 Shannon Frizell
7 Sam Cane (c)
8 Ardie Savea
9 Aaron Smith
10 Richie Mo’unga
11 Mark Tele’a
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Will Jordan
15 Beauden Barrett

Replacements:

16 Samisoni Taukei’aho
17 Tamaiti Williams
18 Nepo Laulala
19 Samuel Whitelock
20 Dalton Papali’i
21 Finlay Christie
22 Damian McKenzie
23 Anton Lienert-Brown

He has named the same starting back-line that lost to South Africa at Twickenham in August, but has made three changes among the forwards with the inclusion of Codie Taylor, Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell.

There are 981 caps in the starting XV and four test centurions in the match-day 23.

There are five survivors from RWC 2015 final victory against Australia at Twickenham – Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Sam Cane, who is now captain.

Will Jordan has scored 31 tries in 30 tests for the All Blacks, reaching this total the quickest of any New Zealander ahead of Joe Rokocoko (34 games), Julian Savea (37 games), and Doug Howlett and Christian Cullen (both 38 games).

He is on a four game try-scoring streak at RWC 2023 – only Jonah Lomu at RWC 1999 has ever scored in five-straight matches at a single tournament.

He has equalled Jonah Lomu (1999), Bryan Habana (2007) and Julian Savea (2015) for most tries (8) in a single edition of the Rugby World Cup. However, none of these three previous players were able to score their ninth try in their final match of the tournament.

Sam Whitelock is looking to become the first player to win three Rugby World Cups. He started in the 2011 and 2015 finals.

Sam Cane has missed just three of his 50 tackle attempts at RWC 2023.

This will be the third time Beauden Barrett has played the Springboks at a Rugby World Cup after their 2015 semi-final and 2019 pool match, but the first alongside brothers Scott and Jordie in the starting team.

This will be the seventh time all three Barrett brothers have started against the Springboks since 2018, with just two wins from their previous six games.

Beauden Barrett has only kicked three drop goals in his test career, against England in 2018 and 2022, and against Ireland in 2018.

Richie Mo’unga has never kicked a drop goal in his test career.

Mark Tele’a scored the first try of the tournament at this venue 50 days ago. Former All Black Michael Jones is the only player to score a try in both the first and last game of a single tournament, crossing against Italy in the opening match of 1987 and against France in the final.

Telea has beaten a tournament-high 31 defenders from just 40 carries, and is averaging one line break every 6.7 carries.

He made two line breaks and beat 11 defenders against the Springboks at Twickenham, making a team-high 122 metres from 13 carries.

NZL team announcement (v RSA): head coach Foster, captain Cane, Retallick, J Barrett

RUEIL-MALMAISON – Comments from New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, captain Sam Cane, second-row Brodie Retallick and centre Jordie Barrett after the team announcement for the final against South Africa on Saturday, 28 October at the Stade de France.

Ian Foster, head coach

On if the make-up of the bench is a response to South Africa’s:

“It is certainly a response, not so much to the power but the techniques we feel we will have to deal with. Nepo (Laulala) is a very strong scrummager, very experienced. He has trained so well and he’s disappointed not to have played the last two. But with the likes of Sam Whitelock on the bench, we’ve got a lot of confidence in that group coming on.”

On how Aaron Smith is as he prepares for his last test:

“He’s been good, he’s been preparing to play a World Cup final. That takes 100 per cent of your preparation. We know it’s the last game for a number of iconic players, but that‘s the case for both teams. But the occasion in front of us is so exciting and we don’t want to think about post-game. He has prepared well, he is excited, he needs a tap on the head sometimes when he gets too excited, but he is in a good place.”

On reports that Richie Mo’unga may be injured:

“I was very interested to read that. I haven’t heard that from our medical staff, so he is good to go. The 10s are key, they always are in big games, but we like to take the pressure off one person by the guys in front of them doing their jobs, our nine giving good service. There are lots of different pictures you see outside your 10 too. But Richie is in a great spot, he is leading the team well, he has a smile on his face and is uninjured.”

On whether he is at peace with what he’s achieved so far:

“Am I at peace? What do you mean? Yeah, I’m reasonably peaceful. I love the word but I’m not sure I’m peaceful right now. We are where we want to be. We may have lost to France at the start of this tournament but this team has thrived on focusing on the now. It’s something we’ve loved doing, it enables us to deal with any outside noise around the team.

“That’s massive credit to Sam [Cane] and the leaders that we’ve been able to stay in that place. We’ve woken up this week and we’re in a World Cup final and we’re excited. Right now we’re trying to balance the emotion of it, the messages we’re getting from back home and all around France – massive thanks to all the support we have had. But we are just focusing on playing a massive game with a smile on their face. We know there are two different styles. They’re great at their style, we’re great at ours.”

On how tough it was to tell Dane Coles he wouldn’t be involved:

“Yeah, tough. We don’t want to talk too much about post-game stuff, but that was a tough one, probably the toughest I have had as a coach. He took it the way I expected him to. He’s a champion.”

On the Boks’ seven-one bench split:

“It’s what I love about the game. People try different tactics. They’ve got their way of playing and we’ve got ours. It doesn’t change the way we prepare. Their strategy suits them, ours suits us and it makes it interesting on Saturday night.”

On whether there are scars after losing to South Africa at Twickenham before the tournament:

(Joking) “We doubled up with their split by just playing with 14 men, and then 13 men, for parts of that game. We tried that clever strategy and decided we didn’t like it so we’re going to try a different strategy this week.”

On how he’s come through a tough year personally:

“I’ve just started to get my back nice and straight from last year and now you’re trying to make me hunched over again! It’s the life of this business, it’s a tough game. It’s tough when you’re trying to get your performance right. It’s a tough game when people around you see things differently, but we’ve learned a lot about ourselves. We take massive pride in the jersey and making sure we reach the levels we want to. The rest of that is probably a conversation for another day.

“It hasn’t altered our vision of where we want this team to be. I know we’ve surprised a few people but I don’t think we’ve surprised ourselves.”

On whether this might be the biggest RWC final ever:

“Yeah, big. That’s what World Cup finals are about. This is our second one we’ve been to. I don’t think there’s ever a small one. The fact is we have two teams who have been old foes for a long time. We all remember the last final between us [in 1995], which was an epic, and hopefully this one will be the same. Then you do the maths and we’ve got three World Cups each and someone is going to win four, so it’s a special occasion, isn’t it?

“We’ve had a few recently. We had the 100th test against them in 2021. There have been a few big, big tests we have played against these guys.

“We’ve got massive regard for each other, massive respect for them as country in how they play. It’s a pretty cool one to get ready for.”

On his own future plans beyond the tournament:

“I’ve got lots of ideas but first I’m going to mow my lawns. I will be coaching though, by the way.”

Sam Cane, captain

On the balance between head and heart this week:

“A lot of it comes down to our preparation. We’ve got a lot of experience in this squad and it would be silly not to tap into some of that. We’ve been really clear how we have built how we want to play as a team. In terms of head and strategy we’re in a good place and with that comes confidence. There will be a high level of emotion and intent to start the game well, there always is.

“But we have played two knockout matches in a row and I trust we are in a good spot there. The boys have done a lot of physical and mental prep. Although it is a final, we just have to trust ourselves to go out there and play good footy.”

On whether they will have to match their performance against Ireland:

“I think we’ll have to be better, to be honest. Each week we are building momentum and we are going to have to be at our best defensively and in attack on Saturday. If we put out our best performance of the year, we will give ourselves a good shot.”

On how much they’re doing it for Ian Foster in his last game as head coach:

“We might save that for post-game. We’ve got so many reasons to want to play well. One’s not bigger than the other. We want to make New Zealand proud. The support has been truly overwhelming, it makes you so damn proud to be a Kiwi. That’s probably our biggest driving factor.

“There are probably plenty of other little factors as well. It’s easy to let your mind drift to how it’s going to feel if we get the outcome we want, but you have got to be disciplined and bring it back to what’s in front of you.” (Ian Foster jokes: “That’s the first time I’ve been referred to a ‘little factor’ for a while!”)

On comments Siya Kolisi made about him earlier today and their relationship:

“It doesn’t surprise me with Siya. He’s an exceptional human. Our relationships goes back a long way now. We both came onto the international scene at similar times. I’ve got massive respect for him coming to visit me in hospital. I was pretty drugged up at that stage so only have faint memories of that. I think Rassie [Erasmus] and Francois Louw came as well, a few of those South African boys. That’s why there’s so much respect between us off the field, we always have a beer after the game, for as long as the rivalry has been there.

“Everyone knows Siya is an inspirational skipper and big part of their team. When he speaks, he demands respect. That is just seeing how he speaks to the public. I’ll look forward to another battle with him. The respect is mutual.”

On whether he can sum up how to be so good at the breakdown:

(Ian Foster: “He just guesses!”) “It’s a team thing. It’s trusting your team-mates and trusting yourself to make the right decision at the right time. But ultimately it’s knowing if you are not 100 per cent confident in the decision that you are willing to back out and defend another phase, because you know your team-mates are going to get back up, get onside and go again and again and again.

“There’s no better example than at the end of the Irish game, where guys kept showing up for each other. Moments like that build a lot of confidence and trust in each other. I think we’re going to have to dig pretty deep into the well again on Saturday.”

Brodie Retallick, second-row

On the work of head coach Ian Foster ahead of his last game in charge, and on him having overcome criticism when the team wasn’t playing well:

“It’s pretty special. We’ve seen what Fozzy [Ian Foster] and Sam [Cane] went through off the field and I think the group knew where they needed to go. He has come out of that and coached this group to where we needed to be. The ultimate way to pay respect is to get the job done on Saturday night and show him how much the players have enjoyed having him as our head coach.”

On how special it would be to sign off as an All Blacks player by featuring in a Rugby World Cup final:

“It’s awesome. You can’t really put into words playing in a Rugby World Cup final. I was lucky enough to experience it in 2015. This will be my last game in the jersey so to have the opportunity to go out there and win it again, you could call it a fairytale ending. It definitely beats four years ago when we were playing for third and fourth, that’s for sure.”

On South Africans talking about playing for the 60 million people back home and what the All Blacks are playing for:

“It’s an array of things for everybody. If you ask the South African team, they’d probably want to make each other proud.

“Make no mistake about it, we are here representing New Zealand. We don’t quite have the population [size] but we have seen the support coming from home, and across the social media channels how excited people are and we’ve got a lot of messages over the last couple of weeks. We’re here to represent the country, the jersey and ourselves as individuals and the team.”

On what South Africa means to a New Zealand player:

“From the Springboks encounters I’ve had, it is the ultimate challenge. We know they will come with a full pack and try to dominate. We know it’s always physical. From my point of view, it is the greatest challenge that we have in test rugby.”

On having Richie McCaw and other former All Blacks in the camp this week:

“I think having them around and having conversations, a lot of the boys haven’t had that experience. [McCaw] is hugely respected in the team so having him here. Conrad [Smith] has been in, DC [Dan Carter] has been around. Having those boys comes in, watch and providing feedback is adding to the value of the team.”

On Aaron Smith and standing next to him when Smith leads the haka for the last time:

“It’s going to be cool. We have played a lot of footy together. We debuted on the same night and we are going to finish together. He is such a massive part of our group. Even last week when he scored that try, I said, ‘jeez, you’ve still got it, mate’. It’s special and he’ll relish it, he loves leading the haka. I hope he goes well and the pack gives him the platform he deserves.”

On if he was nervous before the team was revealed after starting some games from the bench this RWC:

“Sam is playing outstanding at the moment as well. I think that is one part of the script I learned early on, whatever your role is in the squad you have to do it. Colesy [Dane Coles] was a great example of that this week. I felt for him that he doesn’t get to play this week. Selection is out of a player’s control so you just have to put your best foot forward.”

Jordie Barrett, centre

On the work of head coach Ian Foster ahead of his last game in charge, and on him having overcome criticism when the team wasn’t playing well:

“It’s been great to see the players put some performances out there that reflect his coaching ability. There is no mistaking that we are under a lot of pressure, players and coaches. It was a rocky period but we are reaping the rewards now and we have a big challenge again.”

On the balance of the excitement of the big occasion and being calm and collected:

“It’s a good question, one I’ve been asking the senior players as I haven’t been to a World Cup final before. This week we’ve just been enjoying the week and each other’s company and understanding it’s a fresh week, a new beast, a new challenge, a World Cup final, different opposition, playing against the number-one side, so it doesn’t get any better than that.

“We are just trying to enjoy it. I know it sounds cliched. We started the tournament pretty slowly and we’ve gained a wee bit of momentum but that doesn’t guarantee anything. We’ve said all along in this World Cup the best teams have been the best teams on the night so it’s going to be no different come Saturday.”

On playing with his brothers in a RWC final:

“Yeah, it doesn’t get any bigger for our family. Hopefully we we will look back and reflect in a few years’ time. For us we enjoy each other’s company. You look around the huddle and you see a couple of brothers and it is a pretty cool [thing]. We are lucky to have a lot of our family here supporting us this week. It’s such a special week that we will cherish.”

On his try-saving tackle on Ronan Kelleher in the quarter-final:

“There are moments like that in every test match, the thing is you don’t know where they will turn up. That happened before I even realised, it was a split-second decision. Luckily I have sent Richie Mo’unga [in other matches] to hold up a couple of players in similar positions off the top of the maul this year so he has provided an example for me. It was a sliding doors moment, it turned out to be a big moment in the test match and, who knows, it might be someone else in the final.”

On if they are looking for revenge after losing to South Africa pre-RWC:

“We haven’t referenced the game at Twickenham. We have understood this is a completely different assignment, a massive challenge. A Springboks team with a seven-one split in a World Cup final. We haven’t fallen back on that week and it is not going to be an emotional response. It’s a completely different challenge.”

Rugby World Cup 2023 final preview: New Zealand v South Africa

Everything you need to know about New Zealand v South Africa in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final at Stade de France, on Saturday, 28 October

The two three-time champions and the current top two men’s sides in the world, according to the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini, meet in the final of Rugby World Cup 2023.

Difficult though it may be to believe, New Zealand opened their Rugby World Cup challenge with a 27-13 defeat against France at Stade de France. Some 50 days and 47 matches later, they return to contest the final.

Head coach Ian Foster has made only two changes to the team that beat Argentina 44-6, with Brodie Retallick replacing Samuel Whitelock in the second-row, and Nepo Laulala replacing Fletcher Newell on the bench, while the All Blacks’ starting backline is identical to the one that lost 35-7 to the Springboks at Twickenham in August.

Defending champions South Africa also recovered from a pool phase defeat – against another pre-tournament favourite, Ireland – to book their place in the showpiece match with two one-point victories over France and then England in the knockout phase.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber has made five changes to his match-day squad from the one-point semi-final victory over England, with two in the starting XV and three in a 7-1 split bench.

In total, 10 players in the starting XV also started the Rugby World Cup 2019 – Mbongeni Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe. Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert, who were on the bench in 2019, start this time. Willie Le Roux, who started four years ago, is the only replacement back this time. RG Snyman is again on the bench.

FIXTURE: New Zealand v South Africa

GROUND: Stade de France (80,023)

KICK-OFF: 21:00 local time (GMT+2)

FIXTURE HISTORY

The Rugby World Cup final is test number 106 in the 102-year history of what is arguably international rugby’s greatest rivalry. The All Blacks lead the win count 62-39, with four drawn games, but could not win a test series in South Africa before 1966.

MEMORABLE MATCH

What match could be more memorable than the final of Rugby World Cup 1995 at Ellis Park? When the Springboks shackled Jonah Lomu, Joel Stransky landed the winning drop goal deep into injury time, and Nelson Mandela, in a South Africa jersey with a number six on the back, handed the Cup to Francois Pienaar?

KEY TALKING POINT

It’s the final, between the tournament’s two most successful sides. Both New Zealand and South Africa have three titles to their name. But who will become the first four-time champions?

PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD

Will Jordan v Cheslin Kolbe. A pair of electrifying wingers go head to head for rugby’s biggest prize. Jordan, with 31 tries in 30 tests and on a four-game scoring streak in France, has the men’s Rugby World Cup individual tournament scoring record in sight – but if ever there’s a big-game player in the modern game, it’s Kolbe.

STATS-AMAZING

South Africa’s starting XV boasts a combined 987 caps. The back three of Kolbe (30 caps), Kurt-Lee Arendse (14) and Damian Willemse (38) are the only players in the run-on side that have fewer than 50 caps.

For the record, New Zealand’s starting XV has 981 caps’ experience. They have four centurions in the match-day team, just as they did in the 2015 final.

REF WATCH

Wayne Barnes (England). The 44-year-old takes charge of his first World Cup final, in his 111th match in the middle – and his 27th RWC game. Karl Dickson and Matthew Carley are assistant referees, with Tom Foley the TMO.

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown

SOUTH AFRICA: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Duane Vermeulen

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux

NZL eve of match (v RSA) comments from head coach Foster, Jordan, Mo’unga

PARIS – Comments from New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, wing Will Jordan and fly-half Richie Mo’unga on Friday ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023 final against South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.

Ian Foster, head coach

On where the New Zealand team draw their motivation:

“Part of the challenge is to discover that yourself. We get it from the history and the legacy of the jersey, which is massive for us. The people who have walked the journey we have walked are pretty special.

“The All Blacks have always had a special place in New Zealanders’ hearts. The amount of support we have got from our country has been quite overwhelming. We are generally a conservative bunch, we are generally cynical at times. We show our love and support while criticising yet that has swung around a little bit. Suddenly there is a lot of excitement from our country.

“We get it from the people we represent, our families and our past. Then when we shut the door and get in a circle it’s also that group of people who are massively motivated to meet the standards we have set ourselves.”

On the unique memories and experiences he will take away from the Rugby World Cup:

“You always remember the people. You’re walking the same path and it’s all how we react to it. Everyone goes through the emotional side of preparing and dealing with the pressure and the excitement and it’s how we do it. It’s a mixture of laughter and seriousness and that’s the beauty of being part of a group.”

On which areas of the Rugby World Cup final will be decisive:

“Set-piece will be massive. In previous World Cups the execution of the roles in that area has always been critical. It’s an area where we have a lot of confidence in our game. For all the pressure, for all the different occasions, rugby is quite a simple game. You have to do well on your own ball, you have to control the set-piece. I don’t just mean the forward stuff, I mean the forward-back connection and how you use the ball in those early phases. I reckon that’s a key part of it.

“And after that there’s how you deal with each team’s strengths. They’ll be trying to deal with our strengths and trying to figure out how to negate them, and we’ll have to deal with their strengths to make sure they don’t get into that comfortable space. Both teams are in the same camp and that’s what I love about it.”

On how valuable has it been having former players visit the team:

“Massive. How can they not be? They are special people. Some have been visible to the public, some have been invisible behind the scenes. It’s the support and the passing on of the baton of the few things they have learnt – it’s a pretty special situation for us to be in, not just for the players, but for management as well. Just a reminder of the standards needed, the expectation but also an understanding that you are not alone when you get out there.

“What I’ve loved is that they haven’t made the team heavy, they’ve lightened the team. They’ve helped the boys go and trust what they do. There is no magic formula, is there, apart from you’ve got a bunch of very talented young men who play with all their heart for their country and then the key thing is that they go out there and feel empowered to do what they do really well.”

On experience in the squad and Samuel Whitelock on the cusp of becoming the first men’s player to win three Rugby World Cups:

“We have got a great balance of people that have been there and haven’t been there. When you ask the group to put their hand up if this is their first World Cup final or first World Cup, more than half of the team put their hand up and that includes some of the management.

“We have got a great mixture and the ability to have people who have been there to pass on some learnings has been special. The real message the experienced players like Sam and Dane Coles have passed on is not spoken, it’s done. It’s about actions. It’s just showing how to prepare, how to deal with the pressure.

“Those people have done a fantastic job and Sam is a massive example of that. It’s been a highlight reel of achievements for him the last five or six weeks. I remember being asked in a media conference a few weeks ago what also he could achieve, and being the first man to win three [Rugby World Cups] would be pretty special. We would feel a lot of honour if that happened.”

Will Jordan, wing

On the unique memories and experiences he will take away from the Rugby World Cup:

“The messages I’ve received from people, whether it’s old coaches from when you were younger, family, friends, people you don’t know wishing you all the best; it just shows the amount of support that’s behind us. Seeing and feeling that will be the biggest thing I’ll take from it.”

On if being in the final at first Rugby World Cup is still a ‘pinch yourself’ moment:

“It is a little bit. The last couple of weeks have flown by. It doesn’t seem that long ago we were back in pool play, getting ready for these knock-out stages. The last couple of weeks for myself and a lot of the other guys have been awesome experiences. The next 24 hours it will hit home that we are in the final, and just mentally prepping for that. But it’s where you want to be and I’m very excited by it. It will be a huge occasion.”

On if more excited than nervous:

“At this stage it’s more excitement. The closer you get to the game, the more the nerves tend to kick in. But we’ve been working away quietly at our hotel, we’re a little bit out of Paris, so we’ve missed a bit of the hype around it. We can feel the energy from back home.”

On if the haka enhances New Zealand performance:

“The haka is a really important piece of us. It’s a huge part of our legacy and representing our people. It does bring the group together, it’s our last kind of thing as a group we do before we play. There is a special feeling in that. We draw a lot of power from it.”

On the journey from losing heavily to South Africa at Twickenham in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match to reaching the final:

“It has been very difficult. It has taken a huge amount of drive to turn it around to get it right. It’s a special group here and we have always been committed towards being the best team we can be.

“In 2022 we were a bit astray but we have come out of the fire a bit and I guess the big thing for us now has been the consistency has been found. We have been able to put back-to back performances together, which is probably what was missing before. The challenge for us tomorrow night is to be able to go three big games in a row. It’s been a challenging period but it’s where we want to be now.”

Richie Mo’unga, fly-half

On his feelings this week with several players ending their test careers after final:

“A lot of my energy and all my thoughts are on Saturday, preparing for the best Springboks side we can face. We understand this is our last week together so just soaking all of that up. This week was just about putting everything into this week, leaving no stone unturned. Where the mind goes the body will follow. For me it’s preparing mentally just as much as physically.”

On what playing in the final means:

“We haven’t really touched upon those that are leaving. It’s all been about how we can influence the outcome of this game. Everyone is in a different chapter of their journey. This is a way to make history. I want to be part of history. I want to bring the World Cup home. Whatever happens after that I don’t really care. I’m sure a lot of the other boys are like that to. Saturday night, 9 o’clock is where it’s at.”

On the unique memories and experiences he will take away from the Rugby World Cup:

“When I look back I will appreciate the friendships I’ve made on this tour. People only see the game on Saturday. I guess the connections and the bonds we share not only players but with management.

“And there are plenty of laughs – it’s like being on camp sometimes with your friends – pranks, joking around, coffees. That stuff energises me and is a huge reason I want to try so hard for the person next to me. I’ll miss that and I’ll remember that the most, and hopefully looking back it will be the game of my life and the biggest achievement of my rugby career.”

On if he has had any advice from former players:

“We’ve been really lucky to have players float in and out of camp. We can lean on them for advice. The thing that keeps coming out from those players that have been there before is it’s all similar. It’s about doing your job and doing it with high quality and high intent.

“In a team like the All Blacks that’s all that requires. Playing under pressure and being able to do that time and time again is what this team means for you to do. Whether it’s a final, pool game, club footy, I just want to go out there and do my job for the team.”

On the journey from losing heavily to South Africa at Twickenham in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match to reaching the final:

“It has been some journey. We have been really motivated to fill this black jersey. We have players and coaches who just want to see the potential in this team. We are getting little blocks in our game right. A big part of that is our DNA and what makes this team tick and how we can do this at high quality for 80 minutes.

“The off-field stuff has created that bond on-field too. Through all of that we will look back and smile on what a journey it has been and how exciting it has been. It all comes down to this last game. The mindset was nerves and how daunting it can be but we are all excited to put our best foot forward and give it a crack and if we do that we will make ourselves proud.”

Comments from Coach Mzwandile Stick and wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse as they prepare to face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final on Saturday, 28 October at Stade de France.

Mzwandile Stick, assistant coach

On the excitement and challenges of this week:

“It’s been a great week for us preparation wise. We had a seven-day turnaround from our tough semi-final against England and as a coaching staff we have done everything in our power to make sure we are well prepared for this game. It was never a secret, if you look back from 2018 our focus was always on 2023. A miracle happened in Japan but it was always part of the plan to make sure we performed at our peak in this World Cup.

“Preparation has been going very well and although it’s unfortunate with our team selection that guys like Malcolm Marx and Makazole Mapimpi [who were forced home injured] couldn’t be involved, they will be joining us here and we have selected the best 23 to represent our country.”

On whether the team changes were as a result of the semi-final or specifically for New Zealand:

“The key for us as a coaching staff was to select the best possible 23 players to be able to perform against New Zealand. We know they have very special players in their team and we know they want to keep the ball in play. If you look at the balance, for us to be able to have seven fresh forwards in the second half, that was one of our key focus points to go for the seven-one [bench split].

“It worked for us once before [against New Zealand before the RWC]. Against Ireland when we lost in the group stages, in that game we really performed well, we just missed out by a couple of points. When you look at our history, it has worked for us before. That’s why against the All Blacks it is key to have fresh forwards on the field because we know the challenges we face, especially with ball in play.”

On the last match for head coach Jacques Niebaber and assistant coach Felix Jones:

“It’s a very special moment to represent your country and being in the World Cup final, it doesn’t get bigger than that. Myself and Jacques and Felix started working together in 2016 with the Springboks, and I know how much pride this gentleman [Jones] has held with the defence. As a team we are in a good space and a lot of credit must go to these two gentlemen. Felix is always in a good spirit and always trying to help everyone around the team. I wish both of them nothing but the best in their future.

“We don’t want to be too overly emotional about the game tomorrow because it is bigger than us. There are millions of people that are looking up at this moment. For us, at least if we are able to say we contributed to making our country a better place, we are really in a blessed position as a team.”

On Duane Vermeulen, who will play his last test:

“What a legend! The funny thing is I am not that much older than Duane. He’s a very, very special guy who has made a lot of sacrifices in his career, being away from his family and young kids. It is a very special moment for him, but I know if you were to ask Duane now if it is about him, or what it represents for the nation, he will tell you he will put his body on the line for the nation. Hopefully we can give him a proper send-off, even if I know it’s going to be a tough game, especially if you look at the history between the two teams.

“If you look back at what the 1995 final did for the country, it really changed the image of the game in South Africa. Everyone fell in love with the game, and that is where some of us as youngsters, benefited from that special moment. As for Duane, he is definitely going to leave the jersey in a better place. He has really put dignity in that jersey so I wish him nothing but the best.”

On what the occasion means to the team:

“Just to be able to play a World Cup final is a very special one. You ask about our background… to be honest this is what we live for, it’s about the people who are dreaming to be in our position in the communities back in South Africa. We just want to do everything in our power to make sure we are reuniting those people.

“For a guy like Siya [Kolisi], coming from where he did… wow, no doubt in 20 years, there will be a lot of Siya Kolisis, boys who have got here irrespective of background. It is like a fairytale story when you talk about Siya, but it surely does change people’s lives, whatever their background, if you have your head in the right place, if you have a goal and keep chasing it.

“The All Blacks have won the World Cup three times, we have won it three times, so this game is almost bigger than just a World Cup final. Whoever wins is going to have bragging rights for the next eight years. We just want to make our people proud because the messages we get are very special.”

On whether they take inspiration from beating New Zealand at Twickenham before the RWC:

“One thing I’ve learnt through history is if you live in the past, sometimes you are going to have a long day in the office. We know the All Blacks have a lot of X-factor players. If you look at the players who have come back from injury… [Brodie] Retallick, [Anton] Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett at 12. They have got their best possible 23, so you can never under-estimate them. They are a special team. They are all individuals, they don’t hide behind a system, they always express themselves with their X-factor.

“It’s going to be a tough game. Whoever wins tomorrow will have to be on their game for 85 minutes. Hopefully the conditions allow for a good game, the supporters deserve this with probably the best two teams in the world. We have both won three [RWCs], so it is a very special occasion.”

On the emotions a Springboks-All Blacks game produces in some split communities:

“When I think about that last final, I was an 11-year-old back then, that 1995 game really changed the image of the game back in South Africa. Every kid just wanted to be Joel Stransky – I was called ‘Township Stransky’ – or James Small and these guys.

“We always go onto the streets and sing and celebrate. Whenever I think about that moment, it always feels like yesterday. The legacy those guys – Joel Stransky, Francois Pienaar – left made it possible for us to be where we are at the moment.

“I know the All Blacks lost their first game of this tournament, we lost against Ireland, everyone thought Ireland and France would have a good chance to be in the final. On a good day, they also could have been here as well. But the way we fought the last two games, it was about bigger than the game. Hopefully we will keep on fighting and make sure we give our people back home a bit of light.”

Cheslin Kolbe, wing

On how this Rugby World Cup final compares to 2019:

“We don’t like to compare ourselves to four years ago. A lot has changed – the team, the culture, the opportunities the players have got. It is a team that has developed, that has experience, that has grown together more than what we were four years ago. The brotherhood, the love we have for one another, it is massive for us.

“Whenever we do pull on that jersey we want to do our country proud. When you finish your international season and you go back to wherever you play, you look forward to joining up with the Springboks team again because you know you are going to see your family and your brothers.

“It is something I get excited about. With the management, the way they have got this team together is unbelievable. We are definitely in a good place compared to four years ago.”

On what the All Blacks mean to him:

“Growing up, it’s a test environment that you would love to be a part of one day. Playing against the All Blacks, it is history, it has always been a massive rivalry and it has been like that for years, two of the toughest teams playing each other.

“Whoever gets the opportunity, we will play the best and face the best as well. It is going to be a massive challenge but one that the Springboks team is looking forward to.”

On covering the scrum-half position should Faf de Klerk have to leave the field of play:

“Whatever plan the coaches have, it is up to the players to buy into it as soon as possible. For me, with a bit of a sevens background, I have played at scrum-half or sweeper, as we call it, and I have played one or two games internationally at scrum-half.

“Faf has given me some input to make sure I am up to standard in case I am in that position tomorrow night, but I am sure Faf will carry us through to the end. Whatever position I am playing, it is just to have a positive impact on the game for the Springboks jersey and my team mates.”

On coping with the occasion:

“Not every rugby player or team gets the opportunity to play in Rugby World Cup final so to do so twice in a row is massive for South Africa.

“Where we come from, what the Springboks have been through, all the obstacles we have had to overcome as a team, just shows what our country means, what this jersey means, [so we’re] not only doing it for ourselves but really hoping to inspire our whole country, that supports us, sends messages to us.

“It is going to be up to us as players to be up for it tomorrow. It is about visualising certain scenarios of the game and how they will go and mentally and physically making sure we are well prepared. We want to bring about a calmness as well.”

On when he last played number nine for South Africa:

“I think the last time I played number nine in an international was against Argentina, maybe 2021. It has been a few years. I will just do the best I can to make sure I have a positive impact towards the team and contribute in any way I can. You never want to see any injuries for a player, but if the opportunity does happen to go to scrum-half I will make the most of it and make sure I enjoy myself.”

On turning 30 on the day of the Rugby World Cup final and on a message for people back home:

“It’s another year, another blessing for me, but it’s not about me or celebrating my birthday. I am grateful for another year in my life but to be standing here to represent my country is more than anything for me.

“My main focus will be to go out on the field to express this wonderful talent I’ve been given and do my best. I am definitely looking forward to it.

“To the public, our country, our players, all the videos the coaches have shared among each other, the excitement that we can see of all the people back home, it is incredible. We got to see some clips this morning and it brought a few tears.

“To see South Africans making a plan, no matter the circumstances, whatever the difficulties, as South Africans we will always make a plan to watch the Springboks. As Springboks we are really humbled by the videos we have received and hopefully we can do our country proud. We are really thankful for all their support. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Kurt-Lee Arendse, wing

On coping with the occasion:

“I am really excited. I asked Cheslin how he felt in 2019 playing in his first Rugby World Cup final and he said he was very chilled. Yeah, there is a bit of emotions but also calmness. I am really excited. I think it is going to be a good challenge and I am looking forward to it.”

New Zealand v South Africa – Five key contests in RWC 2023 final

Five key battles as New Zealand and South Africa both target a record fourth Rugby World Cup victory in the final at Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.

If Jordan’s try-scoring prowess before this RWC was already well known, he has confirmed it on the biggest stage, taking his extraordinary strike rate to 31 tries in 30 tests with eight at the tournament to date – all coming in the All Blacks’ last four matches, including a hat-trick against Argentina.

One more in the final would see the 25-year-old eclipse the great Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea for most tries in a single RWC.

Cheslin Kolbe already has an RWC final try to his name, racing away to score the Springboks’ second against England four years ago in Japan, and he has grabbed three in five tests against New Zealand.

The side-stepping wing wizard, 29. may only have two at this RWC, but he has made more line breaks than any other South Africa player and his capacity for game-changing moments was evident in the quarter-final with an inspired charge-down of a conversion attempt by France’s Thomas Ramos.

All Blacks fly-half Mo’unga has been in inspired form at this RWC, a master of his fly-half craft, whether makng crisp passes to put team-mates through gaps, piercing breaks himself or delivering pinpoint cross-kicks and grubbers to put pressure on the opposition defence.

The only area of his game which may come under scrutiny in a potentially tight contest is his goalkicking. Mo’unga missed two out of three attempts in their opener against France, and four out of eight in the semi-final against Argentina, albeit two of those with the match effectively won.

By contrast, Handre Pollard is firmly at home with his kicking tee at the Stade de France, having nailed his last 17 attempts at the stadium dating back to 2017.

Pollard’s icy composure and value to the Boks was amply demonstrated in the knockout stages, when after replacing Manie Libbok he landed a late conversion and penalty in the quarter-final against France, and three out of three – including a late match-winner – in their semi-final against England.

Aaron Smith’s 125th test for New Zealand is set to be his last in the black jersey, but the 34-year-old’s enduring class has been much in evidence in this tournament as he chases a second RWC triumph.

The 34-year-old’s service has been as sharp as ever, with his passing accuracy above 96 per cent, his sniping breaks have tormented opposition sides and his four tries – including a hat-trick against Italy – took him to 29 overall in tests, second only to the great Joost van der Westhuizen for scrum-halves.

Faf de Klerk, one of 10 players in the South Africa side who also started the 2019 final, has had to grow accustomed to a new role in recent weeks, coming off the bench early in the second half of the knockout wins over France and England, with Cobus Reinach starting at nine.

But the 32-year-old, alongside half-back partner Handre Pollard, helped steer the Boks home in those tourniquet-tight encounters and his pinpoint box-kicking and smarts around the base of the scrum are sure to feature prominently again in his second final.

Scott Barrett may be perhaps the least heralded of the three Barrett brothers lining up for New Zealand, but the middle sibling’s abrasiveness and work-rate continue to be highly prized assets and he has started all their major tests in a highly competitive area.

Barrett’s tackling, set-piece prowess and versatility – he often switches to blindside flanker during games – make him a key cog in the All Blacks pack, while the veteran Sam Whitelock is likely to come off the bench to bolster the second-row at some stage as he targets a record third RWC triumph.

Franco Mostert was part of the ‘Bomb Squad’ who came off the bench in the RWC 2019 final but four years on, he has been a superb foil to Even Etzebeth as a starter in South Africa’s engine room.

A highly accomplished lineout operator adept at disrupting the opposition’s throw, Mostert’s work-rate in the tight exchanges is invaluable to the Springboks and he did not miss a tackle in their semi-final victory over England, completing all 18 attempts, the most of any South African player.

Pundits are running out of superlatives at this tournament for Ardie Savea, who has been in prime form in France and may be the most talented All Blacks number eight since the great Zinzan Brooke.

The 30-year-old has been a dominant force at the breakdown, but his sterling defensive work has not impeded his attacking flair, carrying the ball 60 times – an average of 12 per game – and producing a team-high eight offloads, as well as leading the side in their first three matches.

Saturday will be a last hurrah for the veteran Vermeulen, who was named Player of the Match in the 2019 final and battled back from an ankle operation to return to the Springboks fold in time for a third and final RWC.

The abrasive 37-year-old is unlikely to finish the match, with Jasper Wiese poised to spring from the Boks’ bench of seven forwards, but the All Blacks will no doubt feel the force of Vermeulen’s tackling and ball carrying one more time as he looks to end a great career on a high.

Read (NZL) and Brits (RSA) on RWC 2023 final

PARIS – World Cup winners Kieran Read (NZL, 2011 and 2015) and South Schalk Brits (RSA, 2019) on where the final of Rugby World Cup 2023 will be won and lost – and by which team.

What do the All Blacks have to do to win the Rugby World Cup for a record fourth time?

Kieran Read: Our forward pack is going to win the game for us. We’ve seen that the Boks have two forward packs, one to start, one to come on. They are going to come out firing so our big boys will win the game. I think they can match them in that area. If they do that, I truly believe they’ve got the backs, exciting players to unlock the Springboks defence.

They probably didn’t kick as well against Argentina (in the semi-final) but against Ireland they kicked really well (in the quarter-final). I think they will have to do that again, whether kicking to recover through chip kicks or kicking really long and finding some space. I don’t think they’ll want to kick out too much. Keep the ball in play as much as they can.

And South Africa, how do they triumph?

Schalk Brits (SB): He (South Africa director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus) is rolling the dice. He understands that playing the top six sides in the world was extremely tough on the bodies. There was definitely physical and mental fatigue when we played England.

He is going all in on a proper South African strategy by dominating from a forward perspective and giving a bit of space for the backs to do what they do best, either kick some goals or make magic in the backline.

I think this squad is better than we had in 2019. What is different is we can play both styles of the game. When all odds are against us, we grind it out and somehow find a way to win.

Who is the key performer for each side?

KR: Scott Barrett. He’s our most destructive player in the forwards. If he has a big game, he’ll set the tone for our forward pack, get us going physically. It’s time for him. He’s been outstanding for us for the last year or so.

SB: Definitely now it is our 9-10 combination. There’s only one combination in the team. They need to make sure that they save our pack, that we don’t over-run or over-exhaust our resources. We call it, ‘make sure that the energy flow in the team is great’.

The biggest thing with the 7:1 split is that we do need a bit of luck. One or two injuries, even on a 6:2 split can ruin the day.

What do you think of the Springboks 7:1 forwards-to-backs replacements bench?

KR: You’ve got to hand it to Rassie, he’s got the gumption to go for it. It’s a little bit of an all-in play. It’s risky, it has its risks.

From the All Blacks points of view, it just reaffirms how much our forwards are going to have to work in the game. It offers some options too for us later in the game, to run against some tired backs potentially.

SB: Everyone wants to wear the number one (starting) shirt but if the focus is not about entitlement then it’s not about me wearing that shirt but the best player for that specific role in that specific game who will be best equipped to do the best for the team. He (Erasmus) did sell it to the team that this is his best strategy.

At times he (Erasmus) has got it wrong he has put his hands up and said ‘listen, I made a mistake and I’ll take ownership for that loss’. The players then trust in him, then you want to win for that guy.

You have both won Rugby World Cups, what are the key lessons you learned?

KR: Having been to two World Cup finals and knowing how big the weeks are, you can get caught up in playing the game too early. It’s all about trying to maintain a bit of calmness.

There’s going to be nerves, anticipating that, knowing that they’ll be there and it’s fine.

What I learned from the senior players (from 2011), Richie (McCaw) was really to simplify it. Simplify your messages, simplify what you need to do as a team. It’s never the special players, it’s never the magic play – those things might come off – but it’s just doing the basics really well.

SB: Most rugby players, most sports people are really competitive but unfortunately egos get in the way because it’s all about me, me, me. But the big thing we spoke about when we got together in 2018 was all about entitlement. First of all, we said we had to have faith in the coaches. Second that the decisions will be based on what is best for the team and not the individual. If you have got that sort of outlook, it’s quite easy then to move forward.

Rassie (Erasmus) is superb in managing first the expectations, focusing on what is important. Yes it’s important to win a rugby match, win a World Cup but the biggest focus we had was on issues we had back home. We couldn’t be disappointed about missed tackles or being tired because there was 60 million South Africans that didn’t have food, didn’t power, didn’t have water. We didn’t have the luxury to sit and feel sorry for ourselves.

Get your arse off the ground, go tackle and run and add value to the team.

What memories do you have of the 1995 World Cup final and what impact might that have on this match?

SB: I was a 12 or 13-year-old kid watching. It feels like it was yesterday when I saw it. To have Nelson Mandela lifting the trophy with Francois Pienaar, I saw the power that sport has.

It’s not about winning a World Cup; it’s about giving hope in South Africa. It’s about showing South Africans irrelevant of your race, or the colour of your skin or your religion or your upbringing that we can work together. We have been a nation that was divided and there’s a lot of people that still want to divide us but the same tune I am seeing from 2019 to 2023 is that we are stronger together.

When the mission isn’t to win a World Cup but to actually show a country that was divided that we can work together and actually achieve more than the sum of our parts then it becomes a very, very inspirational effort.

It shows that back home, with all our troubles from crime to load-shedding to water scarcity to infrastructure problems that if we are willing and we are prepared to listen to each other and we are prepared to work together, that the end product can be pretty amazing.

Finally, a score prediction please?

KR: It’s going to be very close, decided by a few points. I don’t care, the All Blacks will win.

SB: Irrelevant of the result, I am so proud of the effort the boys have put in. I am giving it a 24-16 win to the Boks. It’s not going to be a pretty game. I think it’s going to be a war of attrition.

Springboks thank South Africa for history-making RWC victory

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi thanked South Africa for inspiring them to overcome the All Blacks to record a third successive nail-biting one-point victory in the playoffs on their way to a record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup title.

“This is for our fans and for South Africa,” said Nienaber after the 12-11 victory.

“I wish I could show you the amount of messages and videos of what was going on in South Africa. I think there was 62 million people that united behind us.

“The farming communities opening up to allow people to watch, paying an entrance fee of whatever they wanted to donate. People have bought green T-shirts for everyone. We felt every single bit of energy they gave us and in the last three games, all one-point victories, that drove us and we needed it.”

Kolisi said: “At the last World Cup the country was hopeful that maybe there was a chance we could win it and what transpired afterwards was the belief between this team.

“There is not a lot of things going right in our country and we have the privilege to be able to do what we love and inspire people in life, not just sports people.

“There’s no ways where I come from I could have dreamed to be here today. I couldn’t even dream I could be here today. We come from different walks of life. I had my own goals and ambitions.

“I want to look after my family, I want to give back to my community because without them I wouldn’t be here. But once we come together for a common goal nothing can stop us.

“What brings is together is our country. What brings us together is the Springbok and South Africa and what drives us. I can’t explain it to you, you need to come and see South Africa to understand. Once we come together nothing can stop us, not just in sport but also in life.”

It took a monumental effort to resist an All Black team that was reduced to 14-men in the 28th minute following the red carding of their captain Sam Cane, but which held the Springboks scoreless in the second half.

Nienaber said: “Relief is probably the first word that comes to mind, in the sense of the special group of players we have. As a management and leadership group we always thought ‘we can’t mess this up’.

“From 2018 we thought we had the ability to win the 2023 World Cup. [The Rugby World Cup win in] 2019 was probably something that hopped up along the way, but it is relief for the players, they were good enough to do that.”

The Boks had to overcome the loss of hooker Bongi Mbonambi to achieve it in only the third minute. Nienaber said: “If you’d asked me which injuries we wouldn’t like early on, it would be Bongi and Faf [de Klerk]. But that’s the decision we made with the squad we selected. There is always risk involved but we mitigated that.

“I don’t know how many lineouts we lost but with Deon Fourie, if there are maybe 16 lineouts in a game, there are 120, 150 rucks in a game, and he makes 20 tackles. Sometimes the lineouts he loses, he makes up for it in other ways. At whatever age he is – 37 – to put in a shift like that is special. I have coached Deon since he was 20 years old and I always knew he had that dog in him.”

Man of the match Pieter Steph du Toit turned in a herculean effort making 28 tackles and received high praise from Nienaber: “He was phenomenal. Defence is my department and he was exceptional. I must say in the last couple of games, he wanted it desperately. Not only him, but everyone wanted it desperately.

“He put himself in the right positions. I always joke that if there’s a white plastic bag that blows over the field, he would probably chase that down as well. ‘The Malmesbury Missile’, he was like a machine.”

Kolisi said: “Coach Rassie [Erasmus] said great things are never achieved in ideal conditions, and this wasn’t ideal conditions for us as a group. Playing the home team in their home country was one of the hardest things to do and obviously when we played the last game against England, which was tight, we had to fight and today as well, no different.

“The motivation was everything from home and our families. The coaches created an environment for us where we can be with our families no matter where we are, it feels like we are home. There are 15 to 20 kids running round the hotel. It’s one of the greatest things they could have done for us.

“People also from South Africa, some of our friends, they’ve used their savings to come and watch us.

“For me not to give my 100 per cent on the field would be cheating all those people and that’s what the coaches always remind us of. The motivations for us, we don’t have to look far.”

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup

SAINT-DENIS – South Africa won Rugby World Cup 2023 after a 12-11 win over New Zealand in the final at Stade de France on Saturday.

South Africa became the first nation to win four Rugby World Cup titles after holding off New Zealand in a dramatic final at Stade de France on Saturday.

Four Handre Pollard penalties to two from Richie Mo’unga gave the Springboks a 12-6 lead after a first half in which All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell was sin-binned for an incident in which Mbongeni Mbonambi was forced off injured. Then New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent off in a RWC final for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.

Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse both went close for South Africa before Kolisi was yellow-carded as the All Blacks fought back. Aaron Smith was denied a try for an earlier knock-on before Beauden Barrett touched down to bring them to within a point.

There was late drama as Cheslin Kolbe was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and Jordie Barrett missed a long-range penalty that might have won it for New Zealand as the Springboks maintained their perfect record in finals, adding to their crowns in 1995, 2007 and 2019.

“I guess as a team we like drama,” Mastercard Player of the Match, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who made 28 tackles, said. “The last three games have been quite tough. We played each one as a final and each one was [won] by one point.

“It shows the resilience of the team.”

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi paid tribute to New Zealand: “They took us to the end, they took us to a dark place. It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game. They put us under so much pressure.

“We lost our hooker in the early part of the game and had to adjust … somehow we found a way.”

“I think experience pulled them through,” Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber said of his players. “They are an amazing bunch of guys, they are all warriors and they all love South Africa.”

“I’m proud of our guys,” New Zealand head coach Ian Foster said. “To go down to that red card so early and fight our way back and give ourselves a chance is pretty special. To get within a whisker of pulling it off is heartbreaking.”

“We have to give it to South Africa, they are a quality team. They have had a few close victories in this tournament and are a different class. It’s special for them but it equally hurts for us.”

New Zealand captain Sam Cane said he was “extremely gutted and disappointed. First of all that the guys had to play with 14 men for the last 50-odd minutes. The courage they showed was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors. Well done to South Africa. They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have shown time and again they have a way to win.”

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa reaction (head coach Nienaber, captain Kolisi, Du Toit, Willemse, Kleyn, Fourie, Kriel, Pollard, Nche, De Allende)

SAINT-DENIS – Reaction from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber, captain Siya Kolisi, back-row Pieter-Steph du Toit, full-back Damian Willemse, second-row Jean Kleyn, hooker Deon Fourie, centre Jesse Kriel, fly-half Handre Pollard, prop Ox Nche and centre Damian de Allende after their team’s 12-11 win over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final at Stade de France.

Damian de Allende, centre

On how it feels:

“It’s incredible. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. It was a tough old test match. These past three games have been quite tough mentally for us, emotionally as well, physically too. One point each game but we got through it. The All Blacks were incredible tonight. I think the result is incredible.”

On if he has a third successive win in 2027 win in him:

“I would love to say yes but at the moment I have to take it year by year. I am getting a little bit older, my body is taking a bit longer to recover. It was tough this week and last week, it was the first time I have played games back to back and the first time I have played three games in a row since I played in Japan [2019].”

Ox Nche, prop

On what it means to win his first Rugby World Cup:

“It means a lot. I don’t know how to describe it. It is a feeling that is out of this world. To have a special group of guys like this. Deon [Fourie], he is 37 years old – in the first few minutes in a World Cup final our starting hooker goes down; we lost Malcolm Marx earlier. If we stay united we can achieve anything. That’s what it means to me.”

On what cake he is going to eat to celebrate:

“I’m thinking caramel cheesecake. I saw it earlier at the hotel.”

On his journey to reach this point:

“I made my debut in 2018, watched the 2019 World Cup at home from the couch and I told my friends in four years’ time that is where I wanted to be. And I am here, thank God.”

On what it tells us that the Springboks won their quarter-final, semi-final and the final by one point each time:

“It shows our resilience. In South Africa that is what we are made of. When you think we are down that’s when we come out and shock you and show you that we can achieve anything.”

On head coach Jacques Nienaber departing for Leinster:

“It is a massive loss. It is just life. You have to make those difficult choices.”

On his plans:

“Tonight I’ll have a good time and then I’d like to get to travel South Africa a bit.”

On second-row Eben Etzebeth, nominated for World Player of the Year:

“He is a legend. I play with him at the Sharks as well. You’d be very shocked at what type of person he is. He has a lot of humility… even though you don’t see it on the field much (laughs). He is a great guy, a good leader.”

Jessie Kriel, centre

On how they manage to win so many tight games:

“Tonight was so intense, exactly what you expect from a World Cup final. The guys dug in again and fought hard. As a South African, as a Springbok, you always believe you are going to win. You don’t have doubts. Winning is a mindset, something we train for and that belief came through again.”

On Roger Federer and the Prince and Princess of Monaco celebrating in their dressing room:

“Roger is a good friend of Siya’s (Kolisi) and Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are good friends of South Africa. It was just so special to have them there, people that have obviously experienced similar situations and victories.

“He (Federer) had his South African shirt on and a lot of us during the game saw it on the big screen and it gave us a lot of motivation. Special to have that calibre of people in our dressing room wearing South African shirts.”

Handre Pollard, fly-half

On the feeling of victory:

“It is unbelievable. It is more relief than happiness at the moment. It will maybe take a few days or even weeks to realise what we have done.”

On the kicking game required:

“The conditions played a big part. The weather was certainly interesting. In the first half we played a kicking game and put them under pressure. Then there were cards flying about all over the place.

“The second half was more containment and limiting the damage. Even though they scored, we limited them to five points. This team has a never-say-die attitude.”

On his 100 per cent kicking at goal success rate in Stade de France and at this World Cup:

“When you are actually out on the field it is pretty normal, it’s just rugby, man. Once you are in the cathedral you just get going and trust your process. The trust the guys have in myself and the trust I have in them… if you miss it, it’s not the end of the world for us, we don’t see it that way.

“There’s not a lot going on, it’s pretty simple, to be honest.

“For me now, it will be remembered as a nice place to kick. Not all stadiums are like that unfortunately. I will have fond memories of this place for sure.”

Deon Fourie, hooker

On what he thought when Mbongeni Mbonambi got injured so early:

“It wasn’t part of the plan. He was due to do the game but accidents happen. We thought we’d given him a few minutes to see how he goes but luckily I’ve played a few games in the World Cup. I came through the 75 minutes. It was tough on the body, a few cramps and all that stuff. But at the end of the day we’ve got the medal around our neck which is all that counts.”

On Pieter-Steph du Toit making 28 tackles and him making 21 tackles:

“I haven’t seen the stats, but it felt like it. I was tired and I was in a dark place. At that stage of the game both my hammies [hamstrings] were cramping and my calfs were cramping and I felt bad around my shoulder but I knew I couldn’t go off as Mbongeni was already injured and we needed a hooker. Bit the bullets and luckily we got to the end.”

On what got him through that time:

“All the messages and videos and stuff we got from back home was definitely inspiring. I can imagine what went on in South Africa tonight.”

Jean Kleyn, second-row

On what the win means:

“It is an incredible thing to be a part of. I don’t think there is a country in the world that puts so much into a World Cup, it means so much to the people.”

On the winning the quarter, semi and the final by a point:

“Rassie [Erasmus] said a few weeks ago, it is a sign of a really good team if you win the matches you are not supposed to win. Last week was definitely a match that we won at the death. I think today we earned it, quarter-finals we earned it. The belief in the team is immense and I don’t think for one minute we thought would lose that match.”

On Rassie Erasmus and his expectations:

“I had zero expectations [when first speaking to Rassie], I just thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. What a privilege to be able to play for my country of birth. It’s a little boy’s dream.”

On not playing all the games:

“You buy into the plan … not being selfish about it, that epitomises this team. We are all here for the same thing.”

On Siya Kolisi:

“It is something from the outside you don’t necessarily understand. His entire journey epitomises the South African dream, striving through the difficult things, what other people would call impossible.”

Damian Willemse, full-back

On what inspires them to win close games:

“We do it for the people of South Africa. We do it for each other. We do it for our families. People don’t really have the money but they have made their way here to support us.

“I am really proud of everyone, for putting their bodies on the line and sacrificing themselves. That is what we have to do to win a World Cup. It is really special to be part of it. I am just really proud to be South African.”

On whether they felt unstoppable:

“No, I don’t think so. We knew it was going to take a massive effort to beat the All Blacks. They are a great team who have been in great form these past few weeks. The red card did change the game from a technical point of view, but we knew the All Blacks weren’t going to die. We said at half-time the momentum was going to swing to them at some stage but we absorbed that pressure very well.”

Jacques Nienaber, head coach

On his overriding emotions:

“Relief is probably the first word that comes to mind, in the sense of the special group of players we have. As a management and leadership group we always thought ‘we can’t mess this up’.

“From 2018 we thought we had the ability to win the 2023 World Cup. [The Rugby World Cup win in] 2019 was probably something that hopped on along the way, but it is relief for the players, they were good enough to do that.

“This is probably for our fans and for South Africa. I wish I could show you the amount of messages we have received and what is going on in South Africa. We have 62 million people united, opening up communities to allow people to watch, an entrance fee of whatever they wanted to donate. People have bought green T-shirts for everyone. We felt every single bit of energy they gave us and in the last three games, all one-point victories, that drove us.”

On bringing fly-half Handre Pollard back into the squad:

“When it comes to team selection, I probably have to give credit to the team. Manie [Libbok] probably deserves it, a guy like Cobus [Reinach] deserves it. But we have 33 players who are the right players. They are not always the best in their positions. When we go with a strategy and explain it, guys like Cobus and Manie accept it.

“They probably deserved to play in this match. I’m not saying we are geniuses, we don’t try to be creative and think out the box, but it is just the squad we have, the depth we have, how close the players are, it maybe gives us an option to go a little bit different to normal. It is not genius, just the players we have gives us different tactical viewpoints.

“We also have all our families and kids with us. So Manie’s fiance, Cobus’s wife, they have to put the pieces together because they are disappointed. But within two or three hours, they accept their role. Manie was the best Richie Mo’unga he could have been this week. He studied him, his mannerisms. Cobus studied Aaron Smith. That’s the strength of the group, there are 33 players who don’t have egos, and they buy into it.”

On losing hooker ‘Bongi’ Mbonambi after just two minutes:

“If you’d asked me which injuries we wouldn’t like early on, it would be Bongi and Faf [de Klerk]. But that’s the decision we made with the squad we selected. There is always risk involved but we mitigated that.

On what he said to New Zealand head coach Ian Foster after the game:

“I don’t know a lot of coaches actually, none except him. He’s the only guy I ever have conversations with. That speaks to the kind of person he is. Before the warm-up game we had at Twickenham, there was a cocktail function a day or two before where myself and my wife and him were chatting away for 40 minutes about life and family.

“I am happy for us but my heart breaks for him because I know what it feels like. He is an exceptional human being and an unbelievable coach. He has been written off numerous times but the quality team the All Blacks are, they find a way. If you look at sports teams in the world, all of them, they are probably one of the most successful teams, they always have been. He is a leader of that and he is a quality individual.”

On Pieter-Steph du Toit’s 28 tackles:

“He was phenomenal. Defence is my department and he was exceptional. I must say in the last couple of games, he wanted it desperately. Not only him, but everyone wanted it desperately. He put himself in the right positions. I always joke that if there’s a white plastic bag that blows over the field, he would probably chase that down as well. ‘The Malmesbury Missile’, he was like a machine.”

Siya Kolisi, captain

On his feelings at winning the Rugby World Cup again:

“At the last World Cup the country was hopeful that maybe there was a chance we could win it and what transpired afterwards was the belief between this team.

“There is not a lot of things going right in our country and we have the privilege to be able to do what we love and inspire people in life, not just sports people.

“Where I come from I couldn’t dream I could be here today. We come from different walks of life. I had my own goals and ambitions. I want to look after my family, I want to give back to my community. You need to come and see South Africa to understand. When we come together nothing can stop us, not just in sport but also in life.”

On the red card for New Zealand captain Sam Cane and his nerves after getting a yellow card:

“It’s never nice for any player to get a card but we knew when they got the card they would lift. We spoke about that at half-time and they did.

“I was nervous but I watched the video and I did change level so it was a secondary [movement]. I trusted the guys around me. It was difficult and messy but we’ve been in these situation before and I trusted the guys. When I came back on I gave everything.”

On the challenges this team has been through to win three knockout games by one point:

“Coach Rassie [Erasmius] said great things are never achieved in ideal conditions, and this wasn’t ideal conditions for us as a group. Playing the home team in their home country was one of the hardest things to do and obviously when we played the last game against England, which was tight, we had to fight and today as well, no different.

“The motivation was everything from home and our families. The coaches created an environment for us where we can be with our families no matter where we are, it feels like we are home. There are 15-20 kids running round the hotel. It’s one of the greatest things they could have done for us.

“People also from South Africa, some of our friends, they’ve used their savings to come and watch us.

“For me not to give my 100 per cent on the field would be cheating all those people and that’s what the coaches always remind us of. The motivations for us, we don’t have to look far.”

On the coaching team:

“It hasn’t been an easy journey. I can’t believe what we’ve achieved today. The coaching staff have been ridiculous. I have worked with Jacques since I was 17 years old. I couldn’t tackle. When him and Rassie [Erasmus] used to come to training it was full contact. You had to show that you could do this.

“Since then, how he used to motivate us in games. We grew up around him – me and Frans [Malherbe], Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph [du Toit]. As I said last week, he cared about us as people. He asks, ‘are you going to let your daughter down, your son down?’ It became far deeper than just a rugby game.

“Jacques, honestly, it’s been a huge honour for me and a huge privilege, and your wife and the kids… I appreciate you. We love you as a team, not as a coach, but as a person. You’ve taken it to another level. The way you speak to us – it’s not ‘make a big hit, make a tackle’, you talk to me as a person, as a father, a husband, as a son, it goes such a long way so thank you. We honour you as a team. All the best. They will be lucky too have you wherever you go.”

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Mastercard Player of the Match

On what is going through his mind straight after the final whistle:

“It is an honour and privilege to play for this team. The last three games have been quite tough. We played each one as a final and each one was [won] by one point. We are quite happy with the win.”

On getting through the drama, with him having made 28 tackles in the match:

“I guess as a team we like drama. We have had drama for the last few years. It helped us a lot as a team to get through the drama and cope with it and it shows the resilience of the team and the whole of South Africa.”

On winning four Rugby World Cups:

“For all of South Africa, we are honoured to be able to play for you guys and the Springboks. I know when we go back home it will be a warm welcome for us. I want to thank everyone for supporting us.”

Siya Kolisi, captain

On winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups:

“There are no ways I can explain it. I want to give credit to the All Blacks. They took us to the end, they took us to a dark place. It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game. They put us under so much pressure.

“Credit to my boys too for the fight. I am just grateful we could pull it off.”

On how the team managed to win:

“We had to. We lost our hooker in the early part of the game and we had to adjust to that. They put a lot of pressure on our lineouts but somehow we found a way.

“People who are not from South Africa don’t understand what it means for our country. It is not just about the game. Our country goes through such a lot. We are just grateful that we can be here. I want to tell the people of South Africa ‘thank you so much’. This team just shows what you can do. As soon as we work together, all is possible, no matter in what sphere – in the field, in offices, it shows what we can do. I am grateful for this team, I am so proud of it.”

Jacques Nienaber, head coach

On the achievement:

“We came a long way with the players. We always planned for this World Cup, since 2018. Massive credit to our fans. They were special from South Africa, 62 million people, the videos we had to play from them. It was unbelievable.”

On the strategy:

“The main thing is they’re a squad. They have been in a World Cup final before, some of them have played their third World Cup now. I think the experience pulled them through. They are an amazing bunch of guys, they are all warriors and they all love South Africa.”

On Mastercard Player of the Match Pieter-Steph du Toit:

“He was outstanding. Defensively, which is my department, he was absolutely outstanding. Well done to him on his man of the match.”

NZL 11-12 RSA: New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, captain Cane, Lomax, Smith, Ioane. Whitelock)

SAINT-DENIS – Reaction from New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, captain Sam Cane, prop Tyrel Lomax, scrum-half Aaron Smith,centre Rieko Ioane and second-row Sam Whitelock after their 11-12 loss against South Africa in the final at Stade de France.

Rieko Ioane, centre

On his feelings losing by one point:

“That’s the harsh reality of footy. We’ve seen it throughout this tournament but to experience it at the final hurdle is pretty gutting. This one is going to stink for a bit as all losses do. It’s pretty tough at the moment.”

On easing pain of Sam Cane:

“That game tonight wasn’t won or lost by Sam’s red card. We had our moments out there and if we were to capitalise on a better day we might have got a better flip of the coin. Tonight wasn’t our night. As for Sam I am sure he is feeling it but the boys will get around him. New Zealander’s back home should be proud of the way Sam and Foz (Ian Foster) have led this team. They’ve galvanised all us boys over the course of getting here and we are proud of Sam regardless.”

On how hard to feel can still win game with 50 minutes playing with 14-man:

“It’s not hard at all. If you’d have felt that energy out there you’d be saying the same thing. We are a team that has faced adversity often, not only in the game but outside. This group of boys is really tight-knit and we work and play for each other. Sam going off doesn’t rattle us, it only makes us tighter. That effort was displayed out there.”

On any messages from Ian Foster in his final game:

“That stays within the locker room but what I’m able to say that I have the utmost respect and praise for Fozzie. He has also faced adversity not only this tournament but leading into this tournament and to lead us and produce some of the footy we were able to produce is a credit to him. Everyone was quick to get on him when. things were bad and so quick to come back when things started coming good. The message is just believe in who’s in charge because as players we do. This playing group has huge, huge praise for Fozzie and whether he gets his flowers or not he will from us.”

Tyrel Lomax, prop

On the feelings in the dressing room:

“Disappointed. Pretty gutted but I think there is a lot we should be proud of in that game. We played most of that with 14 men. The fight back was awesome from us.”

On the response after the red card:

“All of it was around problem solving,. around our line-out. Attack shape and a lot of defence things, Ardie [Savea] really stepped up as captain as well.”

On pride from defeat:

“We played pretty much that whole game against a tough Springboks side and I think we should be pretty proud of how we went. I think we problem solved really well, all of our leader stood up pretty well.”

On the Springboks:

“I though they kept the pressure on us really well. Handre Pollard is a really good goal kicker, you just can’t give him that many opportunities to get points.”

On Ian Foster:

“I thought he has been an awesome coach, I think the way he has carried himself over the last 18 months has been awesome. Him and Sammy [Cane] have led this team.”

Aaron Smith, scrum-half

On his emotions and the match:

“I am just immensely proud of the guys tonight. For a long period we were down to 14 men and we fought really hard to get within a point. All the guys put in a massive effort.

“We had plenty of opportunities in that last 20 minutes to try to get ahead on the scoreboard but credit to South Africa, they put a lot of pressure on us, making tackles and turnovers. We were coming hard and gave everything we had, but we just couldn’t execute in the end.”

On dealing with the red card for Sam Cane:

“We always have plans around if we get cards and how our game changes, depending on what the position is of the guy carded. It was good at half-time to get some alignment on that and how we wanted to play and try to strike from scrums.

“We held strong with one less forward and had opportunities but we just couldn’t get over the line again.”

On the match:

“We didn’t die wondering. I think we threw everything we had and the champions south Africa held strong in those key moments and they held strong in the moments, got turnovers, They nailed those little moments. That’s rugby. That’s Test match rugby and it’s brutal sometimes. It was an amazing game to be a part of and I was proud of our effort tonight.”

On this RWC:

“This World Cup has really been amazing, France has really put it on. Playing at this amazing venue is something else and seeing all the fireworks go off it’s pretty cool. when it’s not for your team it’s a bit of a bummer but I’ve really enjoyed this World Cup, It’s been am absolutely amazing eight weeks it’s something I’ll never forget. I’ll definitely com back with my family one day. I have enjoyed every moment. Pretty gutted right now but he memory and the time I have had in this jersey and this World Cup has been amazing.”

On seeing his family after the final:

“I went to get my kids, they don’t know how you are feeling but they still love you. That really grounded me, they still love their dad. He still loved the medal, those are the moments you have to be grateful for and brings things into perspective. Family is important. This game was important but I came off the field and I gave everything I could and the team had. Sport if like that. The memories I gave made an been a part of, from the quarter-final, it has been a hell of a month.”

Sam Whitelock, second-row

On the pain of defeat:

“The boys have been great, they’re getting round everyone and making sure everyone is supported in there. Sport can be pretty cruel.”

On coming back to France to play for Pau:

“It’s a bit weird. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I am still here with the team and speaking English. It will be completely different when we get back but that is still a month or so away. I’m just dealing with this at the moment.”

On believing the team could even reach the Rugby World Cup final:

“You always have to have faith. We had seen parts of it over the last couple of years when we have put it together for periods but I felt we took a couple of big steps in this tournament. We didn’t get the job done against France early on but there were parts we were really proud of. We took that confidence moving forward and that allowed us to expand and play our game. Tonight we really didn’t get in our flow.”

On representing his country more than 150 times:

“Every jersey is special. It’s an absolute privilege to play for your country and it doesn’t mater who you are playing against. It’s special playing in a World Cup final.”

Ian Foster, head coach

On his feelings:

“Heck of a final. Always high emotion both sides of the fence this will be no different. 12-11, I want to congratulate South Africa for what they’ve achieved. they’ve shown a lot of character and tenacity throughout this tournament. That’s three close games they have come out the right side so they are doing something right. For us it’s heartbreaking and I look at the effort of our team, the way we played and came back and gave ourselves a really good crack at that, the second-half particularly after the red card in the first-half and the damage that decision made Overall, incredibly proud of our team but we’ve got a disappointed shed.

On red card for Sam Cane:

“I don’t want game to be us talking about red cards. It is what it is. There will be a plenty of time to analyse that. There was an attempt to wrap. There didn’t seem to be a lot of force in the contact. The hit on Ardie (Savea) had a lot of force going into that contact and a direct contact on the head so the game has got a few issues it’s got to sort out. That’s not sour grapes. There were two different situations with different variables and one was a red card, one was a yellow (for Siya Kilosi). That’s the game.”

On chances not taken and if game could have been won:

“It would be wrong to say we had all the chances, they had some chances too. There was a pressure cooker environment. You could see players from both teams making a few errors they wouldn’t normally do. To get ourselves back, score that try, it’s disallowed and we get another try. was pretty cool and got us in the game. We gave ourselves every chance, but it wasn’t to be. We are all gutted. We so desperately wanted to win this but I am equally proud. The attitude to play there against a mighty team. Every weeks ago the score was a very different score against them. We contributed massively to a very special final full of drama and two teams that put everything on the line.”

On lineouts:

“I think our line-out went well. I thought we disrupted theirs and we had a couple of wins on their line-out which we squandered and gave them the ball back a bit too quick.”

On his memories with this his final game with New Zealand:

“I would say there were a lot more up and downs. It’s a privilege. I’ve been privileged to be with a special group of people. What’s the highlight, probably today. We lost but as a coach you want your team on the big stage and to put their best foot forward which they did. We didn’t get the result in the circumstances that we had to adapt to but I couldn’t be more proud.”

On Sam Cane who got sent off in the first half:

“I think we’ve all seen the way Sam has contributed to the game, our team behind the scenes, he’s been fantastic, worthy of being captain of the All Blacks, which is a fantastic honour and a privilege and I think he’s carried that magnificently well and I am incredibly proud of him. I am incredibly proud to coach him.

“It’s a tough old day at the office when that happens and he’ll be feeling a lot of emotion I guess.

“There’s a few issues there, one is you look at the decision and say well, it is what it is, we can’t control that unfortunately. I didn’t feel we got the rub of the green in that first half, so we had to try and make our own luck but that was one that went against us.

“But the second thing is the heart and soul that the team showed afterwards to stay in that fight and I think that’s largely due to the spirit of the group and the spirit of the leaders and even though Sam wasn’t on, he was a big part of that.”

On what makes this Springbok team so tough to beat:

“They just know their game. They are strong. Experienced. Clearly they have learned how to fight in dark places. You can’t argue with the three tight wins in this tournament.

“They’ve got the ability to play the game at their pace.”

On his thoughts on the TMO:

“Probably for the game to decide at some point. It’s not tonight. We got the same behaviour from that TMO that we got in the Irish series last year, same TMO. So we expected what we got.”

Sam Cane, captain

On his emotions:

“Just so much hurt right now. It’s actually hard to find words to explain it. It’s so, so hard. I’m feeling so much hurt, but I am so proud of the group the way they fought back and gave ourselves a shot of winning that game. It speaks volumes for the group as a whole. It is a fantastic group of men who care so much for playing for the All Blacks and making New Zealand proud. So there is a lot of heartbreak in the sheds right now. It is hard.”

On the red card:

“Look, at the time I wasn’t even aware, it caught me off guard that he stepped back. But we have been here for two months now and anything around the head has ramifications. I’m not here to discuss whether it was the right or wrong decision. It can’t be changed. Unfortunately it is something I am going to have to live with forever.”

Ian Foster, head coach

On the result:

“I’m proud of our guys, to go down to that red card so early and fight our way back and give ourselves a chance is pretty special. I don’t think it went wrong in any clear [place on the pitch], it was a real arm wrestle, both teams have their moment, incredibly proud of the way we fought and to get within a whisker of pulling it off is heart-breaking.”

On the team:

“This group is very proud to be All Blacks, very proud to play for their country and have worked incredibly hard to get here. While I am so proud of what we did and how we worked we have to give it to South Africa, they are a quality team. They have had a few close victories in this tournament and are a different class. It’s special for them but it equally hurts for us. I can’t ask for much more than we did, we couldn’t put more out on the park.”

On Sam Cane:

“We will sort that out, it’s gut-wrenching for him. Frustrating for us.”

Sam Cane, captain

On the result:

“Extremely gutted and disappointed. First of all that the guys had to play with 14 men for the last 50-odd minutes. I thought the courage they showed out here tonight was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors. It’s tough. I’d like to say well done to South Africa. Back-to-back [champions[, they have been a fantastic team. They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have showed time and time again they have shown a way to win.”

The Greatest Team on Earth

A mesage from Herbert Mensah, President, Rugby Africa on behalf of 1.4 Billion Africans to the Springboks from South Africa ahead of their record breaking 4th World Cup and 2nd in a row victory of 12-111 against the All Blacks of New Zealand.

Notable Quotes from All bLacks and Springboks

“I’m not here to discuss whether it was the right or wrong decision. Unfortunately it is something I am going to have to live with for ever.”
New Zealand captain Sam Cane on his his red card in the final

“I guess as a team we like drama.”
Mastercard Player of the Match in the final, Pieter-Steph du Toit, on South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup the hard way

“I don’t think for one minute we thought we would lose that match.”
Second-row Jean Kleyn on the belief winning close matches gave South Africa in the final

“We didn’t die wondering. I think we threw everything we had and the champions South Africa held strong in those key moments. That’s test match rugby and it’s brutal sometimes.”
New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has no regrets

“I haven’t seen the stats, but it felt like it. I was tired and I was in a dark place. At that stage of the game both my hammies [hamstrings] were cramping.”
Springboks hooker Deon Fourie, 37, on making 21 tackles

“I’m thinking caramel cheesecake. I saw it earlier at the hotel.”
Prop Ox Nche reveals which cake he will eat to celebrate helping South Africa win the Rugby World Cup

Springbok Trophy Tour details announced

The world champion Springbok rugby team will embark on a four-day Trophy Tour to major regional population centres from Thursday, SA Rugby announced on Sunday.

The team will attend the gala World Rugby Awards ceremony in Paris on Sunday night before leaving France for South Africa on Monday morning.

The Boks arrive back in South Africa on Tuesday (10h55) at OR Tambo International Airport and will commence the tour 48 hours later.

The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto – concluding at FNB Stadium – on Thursday, 2 November, and take in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.

The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth.

Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service.

Route maps and timings will be published at www.springboks.rugby, on SA Rugby’s social media channels and by local authorities in due course.

Comments

Scratch Man

1 September 2026 at 5:14 pm

Richie McCaw, a former All Blacks captain, is one of the most capped rugby players in history, with 148 international appearances. He is also a three-time winner of the World Rugby Player of the Year award (2006, 2009, and 2010).
Insane SweepKick

31 August 2026 at 2:09 pm

The New Zealand national rugby team, known as the All Blacks, is considered one of the most successful and dominant teams in the history of rugby union. They have won the Rugby World Cup three times (1987, 2011, and 2015) and held the World Rugby Rankings’ top position for a significant amount of time.

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Springboks thank South Africa for history-making RWC victory

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa reaction (head coach Nienaber, captain Kolisi, Du Toit, Willemse, Kleyn, Fourie, Kriel, Pollard, Nche, De Allende)

NZL 11-12 RSA: New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, captain Cane, Lomax, Smith, Ioane. Whitelock)

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Notable Quotes from All bLacks and Springboks

Springbok Trophy Tour details announced

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Springboks thank South Africa for history-making RWC victory

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup

NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa reaction (head coach Nienaber, captain Kolisi, Du Toit, Willemse, Kleyn, Fourie, Kriel, Pollard, Nche, De Allende)

NZL 11-12 RSA: New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, captain Cane, Lomax, Smith, Ioane. Whitelock)

The Greatest Team on Earth

Notable Quotes from All bLacks and Springboks

Springbok Trophy Tour details announced

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Letter to the Editor

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

Re: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

Re: Minister Tolashe and Postbank Black Cards

Lotto Winner Story

About Alan

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