South Africa secured their third World Cup title by beating England 12-32 at the Yokohama Stadium. Darry Worthington looks back at the final.
Rassie Erasmus’ vision was fulfilled this weekend with his Springbok side claiming the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
This was South Africa’s third World Cup title, and like the previous two, it was extremely special for a number of reasons.
Final Review
The game started at a blistering pace with both sides showing a lot of intent on attack, with England going as far as to attempt to run the ball at their opponents in the shadow of their own posts.
An early Handre Pollard penalty miss didn’t stifle the South Africans who continued to pummel their opponents with and without ball-in-hand.
The ‘Boks were absolutely flawless on defence from the offset and put their opponents under a hell of a lot of pressure with a well-structured rush defence with the pressure eventually resulting in another shot at goal for Pollard, who made no mistake second time around.
England then started to find a foothold in the game and Owen Farrell slotted a penalty of his own to draw the scores level.
The tide looked to be turning at this point with Bongi Mbonami and Lood de Jager being forced from the field with injuries.
Despite losing two of their star forwards, the Springbok scrum was still in complete control and milked another penalty just outside the English 22-metre line which was coolly converted by Pollard.
The English then build a number of attacks in the ‘Bok 22 with Billy Vunipoala going agonizingly close. They would eventually knock the ball on but Jerome Garces called them back for a penalty and Farrell drew the scores level for the final time in the piece with Pollard converting two late penalties to ensure the ‘Boks went into half-time with a tidy little cushion.
The South Africans were the first to score after the break as another strong scrum saw a penalty awarded. Handre Pollard made no mistake and took the score to 15-6.
Owen Farrell struck back on the 52-minute mark to bring the deficit back to a six-point margin. Farrell was then given a great chance to bring his side back to within three-points but the Saracens man was unable to slot the penalty. The two pivots would then exchange three-pointers before the 60-minute mark.
It would be all South Africa from there on in with both wingers, Makozole Mapimpi and Cheslin, grabbing five-pointers.
Scorers
England
Penalties: Farrell (23, 35, 52, 59)
South Africa
Tries: Mapimpi (67), Kolbe (74)
Conversions: Pollard (67, 74)
Penalties: Pollard (9, 26, 39, 40, 46, 58)
Half-Time 6-12
Full-Time 12-32
Match Stats
Metres Run
England 201
South Africa 369
Kicks From Hand
England 19
South Africa 24
Passes
England 153
South Africa 97
Possession
England 53%
South Africa 47%
Territory
England 56%
South Africa 44%
Scrums Won
England 3/3
South Africa 11/11
Lineouts Won
England 7/8
South Africa 6/6
Magical Moments
-Siya Kolisi became the first black South Africa to lead the Springboks at a World Cup and lift the trophy.
-Both Cheslin Kolbe and Makozole Mapimpi scored in the final. The duo wore the same numbers as recently deceased 1995 Rugby World Cup winners Chester Williams and James Small.
-The Springboks equalled New Zealand’s record of three World Cup wins.
-The Springboks have now won a World Cup every 12 years, and every time they have won it the Free State Cheetahs have won the Currie Cup.
-The Springboks were named the World Rugby Team of the Year, while Peter-Steph du Toit was named the Player of the Year and Rassie Erasmus the Coach of the Year.
