Springboks reign once more! South Africa retain their World Cup crown after nerve-shredding 12-11 win over New Zealand in Paris – their third consecutive victory by just ONE point… as they become first side to lift trophy for a fourth time

The tension was so high that the Webb Ellis Cup could have been pressed and compressed into gold bullion. A flawed but compelling final that Cheslin Kolbe watched with his fingertips as South Africa, remarkably, became the first country to be crowned champions four times.

It was maximum intensity. The rain was pouring and at times it felt like a rugby apocalypse of eroding physicality. A super heavyweight fight that led to death. It was beautifully ugly. Painfully compelling. Low scoring but high stakes, ending with 14 against 14 after a red card for Sam Cane and a yellow card for Kolbe.

There were riotous scenes of joy and relief in the South African corner as they held on with a desperate defensive stand. Pieter-Steph du Toit made no fewer than 28 tackles, most of which were so strong that they would reverberate through Paris.

The pre-match show was full of glitz and glamour. Dan Carter and Sophie Turner presented the trophy in a Louis Vuitton casket, before Mika took to the stage in a sparkling suit, nearly smashing windows with his falsetto tones. The action on the field couldn’t have been more different. Shrieking and growling. An all-out dogfight in the rain.

South Africa have now claimed their second consecutive Rugby World Cup title with victory against the All Blacks on Saturday evening

They defeated the All Blacks 11–12 at the Stade de France, holding on to a late advance from New Zealand

The last time these rugby teams met in a World Cup final was in 1995, when Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to François Pienaar, wearing a Springboks jersey. The shirt has long been associated with white privilege, but within 80 minutes it became a symbol of unity. It was even made into a Hollywood movie.

Under Siya Kolisi, the national team has once again become an instrument of solidarity. They dig into their hardships and use them as a force for the greater good, reaching an emotional high that the opposition may struggle to overcome.

But this week’s racism allegations against Bongi Mbonambi were damaging and the whore was in the spotlight.

He was the only specialist hooker on his team, but after 90 seconds his night was over. All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell rolled all 114kg of his weight onto the side of his knee at the ruck and his joint buckled.

It was a dirty, ugly mistake that resulted in a yellow card for Frizell. Curiously, Mbonambi was only registered as a tactical substitute when he limped off.

Bad discipline was the story of the game. Penalties scored points and Handre Pollard took every three-pointer that came his way.

The Springboks were stuck defensively. The All Blacks tried to find edges in attack but men in green flew up to prevent the ball from reaching the wide channels.

It was ecstasy for South Africa at the final whistle as their substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate

South African players Trevor Nyakane (L) and Bongi Mbonambi (R) celebrated after receiving their medals

Faf de Klerk was brilliant throughout the match, with the scrum half smiling as he picked up his medal

It was full-time heartbreak for the All Blacks, with New Zealand’s players hunkering down after giving their all on the field

It was a tough night for All Blacks captain Sam Cane, who was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel before it was upgraded to a red

Aaron Smith (L) also made his final international appearance in the All Blacks jersey, crossing the try line for the All Blacks but was withdrawn after taking a knock in the build-up.

Despite a try being ruled out, Beauden Barrett (R) touched down shortly afterwards in the second half to score the only try of the match

Each defensive read was like a special play, with Pieter Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth launching tackles like human missiles.

The lineout did not function well on both sides. Codie Taylor missed his targets and South African replacement Deon Fourie – a flanker by trade – was discovered.

South Africa’s out-of-control kicking was more accurate and their chase was fierce, putting the Kiwis back in their own 22.

The physicality was immense and Cane lost control when he hit Jessie Kriel high in the 28th minute. It was a yellow card with a bunker review, which was eventually upgraded to red. A disaster for the Kiwis.

Pollard and Jordie Barrett exchanged penalties and at half-time the Boks led by four kicks to two.

On Saturday morning they played Zombie by the Cranberries in a brasserie on Place de la Republique.

The barista himself was humming along to the tune and it was impossible not to imagine how many people would have joined in if Ireland or France had made it to this final.

The World Cup celebrations came crashing down after these countries bowed out in the quarter-finals as these two southern hemisphere rugby heavyweights asserted their dominance, but the South African fans provided the noise. During the break they even had their own rendition.

The Springboks came close to clear early in the second half. Damian de Allende was held up and he could have scored if Kolisi had passed the ball a fraction earlier. Then Kurt-Lee Arendse was hit when he was yards from the tryline and the All Blacks were on the ropes.

Shannon Frizell (centre) was sent to the sin bin in the second minute of the match after an illegal clean-out on Bongi Mbonambi

Mbonambi injured his knee during the challenge and subsequently left the field

Handre Pollard kicked four penalties in the first half to put the Springboks ahead at half-time

Kolisi was also sent to the sin bin after a frontal tackle with Ardie Savea and the foul was assessed by the bunker assessment officials but was deemed not to be worthy of a red card.

The All Blacks threatened with ball in hand, with Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane (both pictured) combining well in midfield

It was a grueling match, with both sides showing their physicality, with the All Blacks coming back late but unable to steal the win from South Africa.

But it was South Africa that won its fourth Rugby World Cup, overtaking New Zealand as the team with the most World Cup victories in the sport’s history.

They were under pressure from every angle but Kolisi got the timing wrong and was fouled for a high shot off Ardie Savea.

The momentum shifted but the All Blacks were wasteful in the red zone. Aaron Smith, playing his final Test, had a score ruled out due to a Savea hit at the maul. But they continued to push for the try and opted for lineouts as the penalty count skyrocketed.

Ox Nche and RG Snyman, the first members of the Bomb Squad, came off the bench to fend off a driving maul, but the resistance eventually broke.

Jordie Barrett via a huge looping pass to Telea, who danced around the tackles with his footwork and flopped a questionable offload into the hands of Beauden Barrett to score the first try in the corner.

Fourie’s shortcomings in the game were exposed. Veteran lock Sam Whitelock came off the bench and ordered his halfbacks to kick for touch at every opportunity. They picked up his throws and also managed to beat him at the scrum.