New Zealand – South Africa (11-12): the figures to remember from this breathtaking final

2023-10-28 23:44:36

For a point. As against France in the quarterfinals, as against England in the semi-final, South Africa is crowned rugby world champion for a small point against New Zealand (12-11) this Sunday at the Stade de France. A breathtaking finale from the second minute with Frizell’s yellow card and Mbonambi’s injury, until the final suffocating seconds with such a tiny gap. The match in numbers.

4

This is the Springboks’ fourth World Cup title. The final was to decide between the two most successful nations in the history of rugby in this competition. It is ultimately South Africa which takes the lead in this race, with a first star obtained in 1995 at home and a second in 2007 in France. Siya Kolisi’s teammates went for their second consecutive World Cup victory after 2019.

1

For the first time in World Cup history, a player received a red card. Sam Cane, the All Blacks captain, was sent off for a high tackle in the 28th minute. The referee of the match Wayne Barnes first issued a yellow card, before the “bunker” changed his decision and requested the exclusion of Cane.

3

The number of yellow cards in this final (if we remove the one received by Sam Cane transformed into red). The final had started on a bad basis, on the disciplinary side, with the first rusk coming out for Frizell for a poorly controlled clearance on Mbonambi, who was injured in the knee during this action. Among the Springboks, Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe also received a yellow card, respectively for a high tackle and an intentional forward. Before tonight’s match, no team had ever received two yellow cards in the final. Including that of Sam Cane, the two teams broke this sad record this Sunday.

100

It was the 100% at the foot of Handré Pollard which made the difference this Sunday evening at the Stade de France. Author of four penalties, all successful, the one who joined the group during the competition scored all the points for the Springboks. Opposite, Jordie Barrett and Richie Mo’unga both left a kick aside (a penalty and a conversion). When we know that the match is decided by one point, the calculation is quick…

125

Aaron Smith experienced his 125th and final selection this Sunday for the Blacks. The legendary number 9 of the XV de la Fougère almost left in style with a try and a World Cup coronation. Finally, a forward from Savea at the start of the action deprived Smith of a potentially decisive try. The 34-year-old New Zealander, who came off in the 66th minute, watched his teammates miss the victory by a small point at the end of the match. It was also the final match for another All Blacks stalwart, Sam Whitelock.