The final marked the Springboks’ third straight one-point win of the tournament, after a 29-28 quarterfinal victory to oust hosts France and a 16-15 win over England in the semis.
The All Blacks counted the cost of two late missed shots at goal, with Richie Mo’unga unable to slot a 58th-minute sideline conversion, and Jordie Barrett missing a penalty from just over halfway in the 73rd minute.
That late penalty was sparked by an intentional knock on from Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe, who was shown a yellow card and finished the match in tears, barely able to watch from the sideline.
It meant both teams had just 14 players on the field at full-time, after New Zealand skipper Cane had his yellow card upgraded to red by the television match official for a 27th-minute high shot on Jesse Kriel.
“They [the All Blacks] took us to the end, they took us to a dark place,” Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi, who was also shown a yellow card for a high shot just after half time that, despite deliberation from the referee, was not upgraded to a red card.
“It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game.
“Credit to my boys too for the fight. I am just grateful we could pull it off.
“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.”
The All Blacks kept surging and scored the only try of the match through Beauden Barrett in the 58th minute, but Handre Pollard’s four first-half penalty goals were enough to see South Africa over the line.
“I thought the courage they showed out here tonight was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors,” Cane said.
“They [the Springboks] 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 famous victory made it back-to-back titles for the Springboks, adding to their victories in 1995 and 2007.
That makes South Africa the first team to win four World Cup crowns, despite having missed the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991.
Source : ABC News
