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Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time as the Springboks won back-to-back World Cup titles, in a night of unbearable drama against the ‘old foe’, New Zealand.
For the third time in three knock-out games, the Springboks prevailed by a solitary point, edging New Zealand 12-11 at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night, only the second time they have met in a World Cup final.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was named Player of the Match, said their run to the final was quite tough with, one-point victories over hosts France and then against England in the semi-final.
Springbok Captain, Siya Kolisi, who also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, was almost speechless at the end.
He gave credit to the All Blacks who he said, “took it to us right to the end,” after Captain Sam Cane’s yellow card was upgraded to red for a dangerous tackle on Jessie Kriel.
But, he was full of praise for his charges, saying he was “grateful that the boys could pull it off” . He also thanked the millions of South Africans back at home for the support for the team throughout the tournament.
South Africa lost hooker Bongi Mbonambi early in the match after sustaining a dangerous tackle by Shannon Frizell, who received a yellow card, while Cheslin Kolbe was made to sweat on the bench after he was also sent to the bin late in the game, only to breathe a sigh of relief at the final whistle from Wayne Barnes, World Rugby’s longest serving referee.
New Zealand scored the only try of the game through Beauden Barrett, while Richie Mounga kicked three penalties.
South Africa’s points came from the boot of the Handre Pollard, who ended the match with a bloodied face from a gash on the cheek.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was also on hand in Japan four years to ago to help lift the trophy, travelled to Paris to raise the Webb Ellis trophy with the Springboks for a fourth time.
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