A primary-ever Rugby World Cup closing pink card proved pivotal as New Zealand captain Sam Cane’s dismissal enabled Handre Pollard to kick South Africa to a 12-11 win and document fourth title. 

Pollard – who missed the beginning of the World Cup on account of damage earlier than being referred to as up late – kicked 4 penalties, with Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi presumably fortunate to keep away from pink himself for a head-on-head sort out on Ardie Savea, and Cheslin Kolbe sin-binned late on for a deliberate knock-on.

New Zealand scored their factors via two Richie Mo’unga penalties and a Beauden Barrett strive – with Aaron Smith having an extra rating dominated out – and refused to surrender regardless of being right down to 14 from the twenty ninth minute, however they might not take their possibilities to ever lead within the contest, as Jordie Barrett missed a protracted-vary penalty late on.

Cane’s pink card got here on account of a excessive sort out which made contact with the pinnacle of South Africa centre Jesse Kriel, with World Rugby’s foul play overview bunker feeding again the act had a excessive diploma of hazard, with no apparent mitigation.

South Africa’s match win means they’re simply the second facet in historical past – after themselves in 2019 – to lose a match at a World Cup and go on to raise the trophy, having been crushed by Ireland in Pool B final month.

What’s subsequent?

The victory means South Africa clinch Rugby World Cup glory for a document fourth time, after earlier titles in 1995, 2007 and 2019. They finish their marketing campaign having completed second in Pool B after defeat to Ireland and wins over Scotland, Romania and Tonga, earlier than beating hosts France 29-28 within the quarter-finals and England 16-15 within the semi-finals.

The defeat means New Zealand end as runners-up at a Rugby World Cup for the second time of their historical past, after the 1995 World Cup in South Africa – which in addition they misplaced to the Springboks. They finish their marketing campaign having completed second in Pool A after defeat to hosts France and wins over Namibia, Italy and Uruguay, earlier than beating Ireland 28-24 within the quarter-finals and Argentina 44-6 within the semi-finals.

More to observe…

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