{"id":294689,"date":"2023-10-29T08:44:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=294689"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:44:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:44:20","slug":"south-africa-retain-rugby-world-cup-as-red-card-crushes-new-zealand-in-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/nba\/south-africa-retain-rugby-world-cup-as-red-card-crushes-new-zealand-in-final\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa retain Rugby World Cup as red card crushes New Zealand in final"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    South Africa retained the Rugby World Cup as a devastating red card crushed New Zealand\u2019s hopes in an epic final.<\/p>\n

    The Springboks became the first side to win the tournament for a fourth time with a 12-11 victory at the Stade de France in Paris. Having come into the contest as slight underdogs, South Africa were aided by the All Blacks going down to 14 men after just two minutes of action, with Shannon Frizell sin-binned.<\/p>\n

    But while Frizell avoided red, captain Sam Came was afforded no such leeway as he became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final following a high tackle on Jesse Kriel. And despite a valiant second-half effort from New Zealand, the Springboks made it four wins in four finals.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: <\/b>New Zealand vs South Africa referee for 2023 Rugby World Cup final has unusual day job<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: South Africa hardman banned for flying headbutt on New Zealander as boos rained down.<\/b><\/p>\n

    The early blow of losing hooker Bongi Mbonambi to injury didn\u2019t derail South Africa as they managed a 12-6 half-time lead. Handre Pollard\u2019s four penalties proved decisive. <\/p>\n

    New Zealand came out of the break a changed side and were rewarded when Richie Mo\u2019unga dived through a gap to feed Aaron Smith, who galloped in. Yet it was heartbreak for the All Blacks as the try was overturned for a knock-on at the line-out beforehand. <\/p>\n

    Do you think South Africa deserved to win the Rugby World Cup final? Let us know in the comments section.<\/u><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    The three-time champions kept on pushing, however, and were rewarded for their pressure when full-back Beauden Barrett scored a try 58 minutes in to give the All Blacks hope – his second in a World Cup final. Richie Mo\u2019unga missed his conversion, allowing South Africa to maintain their slender advantage.<\/p>\n

    Still, the reigning champions had to endure a nervy finish, with their historic rivals dominating the territory in the latter stages. Going down to 14 men did not aide South Africa's cause as Cheslin Kolbe was shown the third yellow card of the final. <\/p>\n

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    Jordie Barrett failed to convert his penalty from a long way out. Meanwhile, Kolbe in the bin could barely stand to watch, holding his shirt high over his head.<\/p>\n

    But South Africa managed to keep their incredible record of winning their quarter-final, semi-final and the World Cup final matches all by a single point.<\/p>\n

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    South Africa\u2019s Pieter-Steph du Toit was given the Player of the Match award after recording a remarkable 28 tackles to keep New Zealand at bay. South Africa's 209 total tackles dwarfed the 93 made by New Zealand.<\/p>\n

    He said: "It's been an honour and a privilege, it was tough, each one a final, each one by one point. As a team we like drama, the last few years, I think it shows the resilience of the team.<\/p>\n

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    "For all of South Africa, we\u2019re honoured to play for the Springboks, we want to thank everybody for supporting us. 64 million South Africans are supporting us."<\/p>\n