South Africa defeats New Zealand and retains its title

South Africa on the roof of the world. After 1995, 2007 and 2019, the Springboks won the fourth World Cup in their history this Saturday evening at the Stade de France against New Zealand (12-11). After the fall of France XV in the quarter-finals (29-28) and then England in the semi-finals (16-15), Sia Kolisi's teammates relied on what they knew how to do best. Always challenging physically and pressing in crowded kicks and kicks, South Africa employed the perfect strategy to advance a New Zealand side reduced to 14 after the eventual exclusion of Sam Keane (34) who was not far from exploitative.

In four years, almost nothing has changed. Following England's victory in the 2019 World Cup final, Jacques Nienaber's men continued to build around the executives of Malherbe, Etzébeth, Du Toit, Kolisi, De Klerk, Kolbe and De Allende. It also adds Arendse's electric presence and Willemse's confidence but also a seat of XXL finishes. On Saturday evening, the “Rainbow” country added a new star and remained in first place in the world rankings.

Three boxes in 40 minutes

The start of the match did not surprise anyone. Playing with kicks, playing forward, not being disciplined… With the rain pouring down on the Stade de France, the Springboks were in perfect control in the opening minutes. In the face of South Africa's physical challenge, the All Blacks struggled 3^H Minute 10, a yellow card in the face of Frizelle due to the dangerous lateness of Mbonambi. Pollard twice (3^H12^H), allowing his team to take a logical lead in a quarter of the match, before New Zealand wins. In a fine attacking sequence, Ardie Savea goes close after a measured pass from Mo'unga in front of the Boks goal. But the rebound, as fickle as the weather this evening, fell to…Williams, the South African full-back. Kiwi's opening goal reduced the gap on penalties (17^H). Yes, but Beauden Barrett's teammates' lack of discipline is costing them dearly.

Upon sending off, Ardi Savea is punished with an illegal scratch and gives Pollard, as an exemplary captain, the opportunity to add three new points (19^H). But five minutes after the end of the first half, the match took a different turn. Sam Kane, the New Zealand captain, was guilty of a tackle too high on Mostert and, after checking the 'bunker', finally received a yellow card which turned into a red. At the same time, the fireworks player Pollard allowed his team to achieve the first half of the match (34^H, 12-3). Before Monga scored three new points before the end of the first half (12-6).

All Blacks are so close so far…

But at 14 years old, Ian Foster's men were not giving up. Despite a hot alert in front of their goal from the start of the match and five minutes later with a touchline pass from Arendse, the All Blacks then invaded the Boks camp. Meanwhile, Kolisi received a yellow card (46th), which could have turned into a red card… and despite an attempt to deny Aaron Smith's savea striker (45th)^H), New Zealand finally found the foul thanks to Beauden Barrett, at the end of the line, after a brilliant pass from Jordie Barrett and a festival from Mark Tilia (59).^H).

At one point in the final match, Jordie Barrett missed a penalty 40 meters to the right of the posts after actually failing to meet the crossbars during the conversion. In a scrappy, chaotic and stifling end to a match where occupation was the watchword, the Springboks, with tongs, emerged finally victorious from the enormous challenge that lay ahead of them. South Africa can savor and win a second successive World Cup in France.