Handre Pollard kicked four penalties in the final. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images
The Springboks retained the Webb Ellis Cup on Saturday night after defeating the All Blacks 12-11 in the final of the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France.
South Africa made history as they became the first nation to win the tournament four times. The match between the Boks and All Blacks lived up to expectations and delivered many talking points.
Here are The Citizen‘s six takeaways from the match.
The Springboks once again showed their championship-winning mettle.
The Boks were able to control the game for the most part with and without the ball, and they grinded out the victory despite New Zealand enjoying dominance in the second period.
The Boks started well, answering all the questions New Zealand posed and stayed in the game until the final whistle. The decision to kick first half penalties was crucial as it gave the Boks a buffer, which proved key in the second half.
The loose-trio of captain Siya Kolisi, man-of-the-match Pieter-Steph du Toit and the retiring Duane Vermeulen, showed up at the Stade de France. They perhaps played their best game as a unit in what is likely the last match they will play together. Each man put in a monster shift.
Kolisi led from the front, Du Toit was a one-man tackling army on the night, and Vermeulen had his last dance as the calming figure at No 8.
When it seemed as if the All Blacks were getting on top of the Boks, one of them would produce a moment that would galvanise the team and get the Boks back on track.
Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard showed all their experience and delivered brilliantly in such a tight game. They have won big matches together in the past, but they arguably produced their best outing as a 9-10 combo at the Stade de France.
De Klerk gave his everything for 80 minutes, making several key plays, Pollard proved why he’s such a vital member of the team, and was recalled to the squad at the first opportunity.
The 12 points he kicked in the match ultimately won the match for the Boks and will be talked about for a long time.
Last year Deon Fourie realised his rugby dream by becoming the oldest Springbok to debut at the age of 35 turning 36.
In the last few weeks, at 37, he’s gone on to play in a Rugby World Cup, and play a starring role in the final, and get his hands on a winners’ medal. It doesn’t get more fairy tale than that.
Fourie’s journey to this point is something that can only inspire all young and hard-working sports men and women, who have dreams of their own in a country with many socio-economic issues and challenges.
Match referee Wayne Barnes delivered a clinical performance in the biggest game of his career.
He was not overwhelmed by the occasion, he allowed the two teams to take centre stage and not make the game about him. He was clear in his communication with the players and controlled the breakdowns and set-pieces superbly.
The TMO (Television Match Official), Tom Foley, also helped Barnes with a few big calls, including Sam Cane’s red card, among others.
Barnes reached the pinnacle of match officiating in the sport at the Stade de France and confirmed his position as number one in the business with a masterclass performance.
Although they ended up losing the game by one point, the All Blacks and the whole of New Zealand should be proud of the effort the team put in.
After losing their captain Sam Cane to an unfortunate red card, the team kept on fighting and putting pressure on the Springboks. They dominated the second half and almost stole the game from the Boks, but Jordie Barrett’s late penalty sailed wide of the uprights.
No one gave the All Blacks a chance just a few months ago, but coach Ian Foster turned the team into a formidable unit who, in the end, missed out, but could just as easily have won.
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