2023 Rugby World Cup final
Stade de France hosted the final
Event2023 Rugby World Cup
New Zealand South Africa
New Zealand South Africa
11 12
Date28 October 2023
VenueStade de France, Saint-Denis
Player of the matchPieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
RefereeWayne Barnes (England)[1]
Attendance80,065
WeatherCloudy
15 °C (59 °F)
82% humidity[2]

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final was a rugby union match played on 28 October 2023 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. It marked the culmination of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and was played between New Zealand and South Africa, with the latter winning by a single point to claim their fourth Webb Ellis Cup, becoming the first nation to do so.[3] South Africa became the first team to ever win back to back Rugby World Cup tournaments away from home, with Siya Kolisi the first ever captain to accomplish the away double.

New Zealand and South Africa last played in a Rugby World Cup final in 1995, which South Africa won 15–12. The two sides had met in five previous World Cup encounters with New Zealand winning three and South Africa winning two. This was the first time that both finalists had already lost a game during the World Cup. For New Zealand this was a record fifth appearance in a final, while South Africa made a fourth appearance and also entered having never lost in a final.[4] The final saw South Africa win a record fourth World Cup title, with both sides having already won the World Cup on three occasions.[3][5]

Route to the final

New Zealand Round South Africa
Pool A Pool stage Pool B
Opponent Result Opponent Result
 France 13–27 Match 1  Scotland 18–3
 Namibia 71–3 Match 2  Romania 76–0
 Italy 96–17 Match 3  Ireland 8–13
 Uruguay 73–0 Match 4  Tonga 49–18
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA TF TA B Pts
1  France (H) 4 4 0 0 210 32 27 5 2 18
2  New Zealand 4 3 0 1 253 47 38 4 3 15
3  Italy 4 2 0 2 114 181 15 25 2 10
4  Uruguay 4 1 0 3 65 164 9 21 1 5
5  Namibia 4 0 0 4 37 255 3 37 0 0
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
(H) Host
 Final standing
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA TF TA B Pts
1  Ireland 4 4 0 0 190 46 27 5 3 19
2  South Africa 4 3 0 1 151 34 22 4 3 15
3  Scotland 4 2 0 2 146 71 21 10 2 10
4  Tonga 4 1 0 3 96 177 13 25 1 5
5  Romania 4 0 0 4 32 287 4 43 0 0
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 Ireland 28–24 Quarter-finals  France 29–28
 Argentina 44–6 Semi-finals  England 16–15

New Zealand

The winning team would receive the Webb Ellis Cup

New Zealand began their World Cup campaign with a defeat to hosts France in the opening match of the tournament.[6] They would put that result behind them as they went on to win by a considerable margin in all of their remaining pool matches to qualify for the knockout stage, with a 71–3 victory over Namibia,[7] 96–17 against Italy,[8] and 73–0 against Uruguay.[9] In the quarter-finals, New Zealand faced Pool B winners and number 1 ranked in the world Ireland, where they came out winners in a tight affair with a scoreline of 28–24.[10] In the semi-final at the Stade de France, New Zealand played Argentina, where The All Blacks defeated Los Pumas 44–6[11] to reach their fifth Rugby World Cup final, a record as they went ahead of Australia and England who had both reached four finals. The All Blacks were also looking for their record fourth Rugby World Cup title, having won in 1987 followed by victories in 2011 and 2015.

South Africa

Defending champions South Africa had reached what was their fourth Rugby World Cup final following a spell of tight margins in the lead up. The Springboks had managed to breeze through Pool B, where despite falling at the Ireland hurdle in a 13–8 defeat,[12] they secured victories over Scotland,[13] Romania,[14] and Tonga[15] to finish second in the pool and advance to the knockout stage. In the quarter-finals, they faced the hosts France, who had topped Pool A ahead of New Zealand. In a World Cup thriller at the Stade de France, South Africa overcame their French counterparts with a 29–28 victory.[16] In the semi-final, South Africa played England, in a repeat of the 2007 and 2019 final. In another tight affair in Saint-Denis, South Africa completed a comeback through a late Handré Pollard penalty to win 16–15[17] and advance to their fourth Rugby World Cup final where they would attempt to defend their trophy.

Match

Summary

First half

In the 2nd minute, New Zealand's Shannon Frizell received a yellow card for falling on top of the leg of Bongi Mbonambi. Mbonambi was forced off for the remainder of the match with a knee injury.[18] South Africa went on to take a 6–0 lead with two penalties converted by Handré Pollard before Richie Mo'unga scored for New Zealand with a penalty after 17 minutes. Pollard scored another penalty two minutes later to make it 9–3.[19] In the 28th minute, New Zealand's captain Sam Cane was given a yellow card for a high shoulder tackle to the head of South Africa's Jesse Kriel which was later upgraded to a red card after a bunker review.[20] Pollard scored another penalty in the 34th minute before Mo'unga replied with his second penalty to leave the score 12–6 at half-time.[21]

Second half

In the 45th minute, South African captain Siya Kolisi received a yellow card for a head high tackle on Ardie Savea which was also reviewed for a potential red card. On review, it remained a yellow card. In the 54th minute, New Zealand thought that they had scored a try. Aaron Smith went over the try line in the left corner. However, the TMO review showed that the ball had been knocked on by Ardie Savea before it was released from the initial lineout.[22] They did get a try in the 58th minute. Beauden Barrett went over the try line on the left after an offload from Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga missed the conversion from the left that would have put New Zealand in front. With 7 minutes to go, Cheslin Kolbe received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and New Zealand missed the critical penalty to seal their victory. South Africa held on to win 12–11 and claim their fourth World Cup title.[23]

Details

28 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
New Zealand 11–12 South Africa
Try: B. Barrett 58' m
Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 17', 38'		ReportPen: Pollard (4/4) 3', 13', 19', 34'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,065
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[24]
New Zealand
South Africa
FB15Beauden Barrett
RW14Will Jordandownward-facing red arrow 71'
OC13Rieko Ioane
IC12Jordie Barrett
LW11Mark Telea
FH10Richie Mo'ungadownward-facing red arrow 75'
SH9Aaron Smithdownward-facing red arrow 66'
N88Ardie Savea
OF7Sam Cane (c)Red card 27'
BF6Shannon FrizellYellow card 2'downward-facing red arrow 55'
RL5Scott Barrett
LL4Brodie Retallickdownward-facing red arrow 71'
TP3Tyrel Lomaxdownward-facing red arrow 66'
HK2Codie Taylordownward-facing red arrow 66'
LP1Ethan de Grootdownward-facing red arrow 66'
Replacements:
HK16Samisoni Taukei'ahoupward-facing green arrow 66'
PR17Tamaiti Williamsupward-facing green arrow 66'
PR18Nepo Laulalaupward-facing green arrow 66'
LK19Sam Whitelockupward-facing green arrow 55'
FL20Dalton Papaliiupward-facing green arrow 71'
SH21Finlay Christieupward-facing green arrow 66'
FB22Damian McKenzieupward-facing green arrow 75'
CE23Anton Lienert-Brownupward-facing green arrow 71'
Coach:
New Zealand Ian Foster
FB15Damian Willemsedownward-facing red arrow 66'
RW14Kurt-Lee Arendse
OC13Jesse Kriel
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Cheslin KolbeYellow card 73'
FH10Handré Pollard
SH9Faf de Klerk
N88Duane Vermeulendownward-facing red arrow 58'
BF7Pieter-Steph du Toit
OF6Siya Kolisi (c)Yellow card 45'downward-facing red arrow 73'
RL5Franco Mostertdownward-facing red arrow 52'
LL4Eben Etzebethdownward-facing red arrow 58'
TP3Frans Malherbedownward-facing red arrow 66'
HK2Bongi Mbonambidownward-facing red arrow 4'
LP1Steven Kitshoffdownward-facing red arrow 52'
Replacements:
HK16Deon Fourieupward-facing green arrow 4'
PR17Ox Nchéupward-facing green arrow 52'
PR18Trevor Nyakaneupward-facing green arrow 66'
LK19Jean Kleynupward-facing green arrow 58'
LK20RG Snymanupward-facing green arrow 52'
FL21Kwagga Smithupward-facing green arrow 58'
N822Jasper Wieseupward-facing green arrow 73'
FB23Willie le Rouxupward-facing green arrow 66'
Coach:
South Africa Jacques Nienaber

Player of the Match:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)[25]

Assistant referees:
Karl Dickson (England)[24]
Matthew Carley (England)[24]
Television match official:
Tom Foley (England)[24]
Reserve official:
Luke Pearce (England)[24]

Notes:

  • South Africa became the first team to win a fourth World Cup title.[26]
  • South Africa became the first team to win successive World Cup titles away from home.[26]
  • South Africa became the second team (after New Zealand in 2015) to retain the World Cup.[27]
  • This was the third time that the World Cup final winner earned their victory without scoring a try – a feat previously achieved by South Africa in 1995 and 2007.[28]
  • Sam Cane (New Zealand) became the first player to receive a red card in a World Cup final.[29]
  • The four cards issued in the match (one red and three yellows) set a new record for most cards issued in a World Cup final. There had been just one card issued across the previous nine finals – a yellow card against New Zealand's Ben Smith in 2015.[30]
  • This was the first World Cup final in which both finalists had lost a match during the pool stages.[31]
  • This was the first World Cup final in which all four match officials were appointed from the same union (England).[32]
  • Brothers Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Scott Barrett all started for New Zealand – the first time that three siblings played in a World Cup final.[33]

Statistics

Overall[34]
New Zealand South Africa
Tries10
Conversions00
Penalties
(attempts)		2(3)4(4)
Drop goals
(attempts)		0(0)0(4)
Match stats
Territory53%47%
Possession60%40%
Attacking
Metres made459360
Offloads57
Carries crossed gainline6637
Kicks from hand3438
Passes22184
Runs14985
Defending
Tackles92209
Tackles missed1437
Turnovers won27
Rucks won11556
Mauls won32
Set pieces
Scrums
(won/lost)		(2/0)(10/1)
Line-outs
(won/lost)		(20/2)(6/4)
Discipline
Yellow cards12
Red cards10
Penalties conceded510

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final".
  2. ↑ "Bonneuil-en-France, Val-d'Oise, France Weather History". Weather Underground. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 "World Cup 2023 final". Reuters. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Boks expect 'grind' against All Black rivals in World Cup final". France24. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "An amazing achievement' - reaction after South Africa win fourth World Cup". BBC Sport. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  6. ↑ Henson, Mike (8 September 2023). "Hosts record impressive opening World Cup win over three-time champions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "All Blacks run in 11 tries but Ethan de Groot sent off". BBC Sport. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Rindl, Joe (29 September 2023). "All Blacks move to cusp of Rugby World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  9. ↑ Telfer, Alastair (5 October 2023). "All Blacks reach quarter-finals with 11-try win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Gault, Matt (14 October 2023). "All Blacks break Irish hearts and set up Argentina semi-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Mann, Mantej (20 October 2023). "All Blacks cruise into record fifth final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Gault, Matt (23 September 2023). "Irish earn statement World Cup win over holders in Paris". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Duncan, Thomas (10 September 2023). "Springboks too strong for Scots in Rugby World Cup opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Rindl, Joe (17 September 2023). "Cobus Reinach scores second-fastest World Cup hat-trick". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Telfer, Alastair (1 October 2023). "World champions edge towards quarter-finals with bonus-point win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Mann, Mantej (15 October 2023). "Defending champions overcome hosts in World Cup thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  17. ↑ Henson, Mike (21 October 2023). "Springboks fightback settles World Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi suffers Rugby World Cup final heartbreak with injury". The Independent. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  19. ↑ AINSWORTH, IMOGEN (28 October 2023). "NEW ZEALAND 11-12 SOUTH AFRICA: SPRINGBOKS CLAIM RECORD FOURTH WORLD CUP WITH NARROW WIN OVER 14-MAN ALL BLACKS". Eurosport. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand & South Africa's rivalry and history". BBC Sport. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "South Africa 12 New Zealand 11 as it happened: Springboks see off brave effort from 14-man All Blacks by minimum". Irish Independent. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "Rugby World Cup final: Springboks retain World Cup after thriller with New Zealand". RTE Sport. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa – as it happened". Guardian. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  25. ↑ "NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Rugby World Cup 2023: Why does victory mean more to South Africa?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  27. ↑ "South Africa beat New Zealand to win men's Rugby World Cup final". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  28. ↑ "South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals". independent.co.uk. The Independent. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  29. ↑ "Sam Cane becomes first player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  30. ↑ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final, South Africa beat New Zealand, yellow cards, history, news, reacton, Sam Cane red card". www.foxsports.com.au. Fox Sports Australia. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Springboks defending Rugby World Cup title against All Blacks in rare final showdown". www.apnews.com. AP. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand v South Africa - the incredible Barrett brothers". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "New Zealand v South Africa". World Rugby. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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