South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup, beating New Zealand 12-11 in a pulsating final in Paris to be crowned champions for the fourth time.
All of South Africa’s points came from the boot of Handre Pollard as the defending champions edged out the All Blacks, despite New Zealand fullback Beauden Barrett going over in the 58th minute for the first-ever World Cup final try against the Springboks.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane had earlier become the first player to be red-carded in a Rugby World Cup final, with three other players being sent to the sin bin in a closely fought clash.
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Cane went in high on South Africa’s Jesse Kriel around the head in the 29th minute of the tournament’s showpiece match at Stade de France on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT).
The 31-year-old was immediately shown a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes, who reversed a scrum awarded to the All Blacks in front of the South Africa posts.
The bunker reviewed the yellow and six minutes later, Barnes was advised to upgrade it to a red card.
South Africa went 12-3 ahead moments later, Handre Pollard sending over his fourth penalty kick of the first half.
The score was 12-6 to the Springboks at halftime, with all the points coming from penalties.
Moments after the break, Cane’s opposite number Siya Kolisi was also sent to the sin bin, following a head clash with New Zealand No.8 Ardie Savea. His offence was not upgraded.
The only previous card in a World Cup final was a yellow for All Black Ben Smith in 2015, when New Zealand beat Australia to lift the trophy at Twickenham.
That record lasted until just the third minute in Paris, when All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell was sin-binned for a neck roll on South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
Mbonambi was subbed off injured, as his leg was twisted badly in the ruck, but the bunker decided that was accidental and Frizell returned to the field.
Barrett finished off a break from fellow centre Mark Tele’a in the 58th minute to set up a grandstand finish, but it was not enough.
It was a stunning result for South Africa who won their quarter final against France by a point and then won their semi-final against England by a point.
Wild scenes followed after the game with commentator Alanna Ferguson simply saying: “That’s insane.”
Cane was visibly shattered after the game but All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens defended the captain.
“I am proud of them and it was an awesome effort,” Mehrtens told the BBC.
“The All Blacks had some opportunities and they let nobody down. They kept giving it a go and the country will be proud of them and not angry – they were awesome.
“Sam Cane is not notorious for being a dirty player, he makes hard tackles but legal.
“On another occasion that might not be a red card, he had led by example and has nothing to be ashamed about.”
Cane said he was “obviously extremely gutted and disappointed” but did not directly address the tackle.
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