At the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, the atmosphere was set to be wild for the final of this tenth World Cup, which saw the two most successful countries in the tournament go head-to-head: New Zealand andSouth Africa, with three titles for each team.
After several penalties were kicked by theSouth African opener, the score was open. Both sides score points with penalties in the first half, suggesting the technical level we're facing in such a final. The South Africans kick a fourth penalty, which goes in: 12-3 at the 33rd minute.
The All Blacks' captain, Sam Cane, turns his team's yellow card into a red card following a high tackle: the New Zealanders are now 14-15, and the half-time whistle blows, with South Africa still leading 12-6. New Zealand made up for this in the second half, with a try from Beauden Barrett in the 58th minute, after a first try had been disallowed byreferee Wayne Barnes. However, the Blacks were unable to score again, despite some fine attacking play in the second half.
South Africa were crowned world champions for the fourth time in their history in the 80 minutes of this match, by just one point (bringing back bitter memories of the quarter-final match for the French XV ). The Springboks thus became the most successful team at the Rugby World Cup: they were the ones to walk away with the Webb Ellis Cup - the trophy of the tournament - under the defeated mines of the Blacks, who had not deserved it. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi becomes only the second captain in history to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's the end of the 10th World Cup that has thrilled us all with the sport of the oval ball: South Africa wins the tournament, followed by New Zealand, England and Argentina.
