The statistic is as staggering as it is significant: since 2003 and England's coronation, no team other than New Zealand (2011, 2015) and South Africa (2007, 2019) have managed to bring Webb Ellis home. Sixteen years of undisputed rule, set to last another four years.
Because both countries are fertile ground for exceptional players. Because the two countries rugby. And this evening, at the Stade de France still stunned by the elimination of the DuPont gang, the Springboks and All Blacks will engage in Star Wars action. Which of the South African Panzers or the New Zealand Wizards will dominate this clashing style? It is certain that whoever wins this unprecedented shock will become the first country to lift this cup four times, and will sit alone on the top of Mount Offaly.
23 world champions on the field
Excellence question? Or rather pride among neighbors who, after all, are competing with heights not reached by other teams on the Oval Planet?
“It's the pinnacle, it's going to be the biggest match of my lifedid not hesitate to get carried away with Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi. It is impossible to dream of the best. “It only happens once in a lifetime that you have two teams like this.” From then on, who will enter a little further into the pantheon of our sport, between the Boks who have eighteen world champions on the scoresheet (fourteen in the starting fifteenth inning) and the Blacks who have “only” five but one of them, Sam Whitlock – the most Participation in Verne's team (153) – He will become the first player in history to play in three World Cup finals… Holy monster? At least as much as Aaron Smith, Duane Vermeulen, Willy Le Roux or even Dan Coles (out of the group), who will leave the international scene the day after this final… Whatever happens, this evening, a page in rugby will be written in Saint-Denis. Will this be the first finals loss in the history of the Boks (who have never conceded a try at this stage of the competition)? Unless the irresistible players who have mastered their ranges under the long white cloud find the key?
“We have a chance to make history,” Richie Monga smiled. “I want to be part of history and bring the World Cup home to my country.” Kolisi replied: “The end, whatever it is, all that matters is that the word ‘South Africa’ is engraved on the cup.”.
Tonight, 46 Giants are on a date with history.
Key numbers
This final will be 106H Confrontation between South Africa and New Zealanders. At the moment, blacks have won 62 times, with 39 defeats and 4 draws, i.e. 59% victories… their worst percentage compared to any other country.
The Boks have never had so many select caps on the scoresheet: 987 (compared to 981 for the Blacks). Furthermore, only Arendse (14), Kolbe (30) and Willems (38) have fewer than 50 caps in the starting lineup.
In their three finals (all of which they won), the Springboks never conceded a try. Iron defense.
The Black Team has managed to score a goal in its last 38 matches in the World Cup. Another one without testing? 1999 mini final against the Bucs.
