Rugby World Cup final result, highlights and analysis as South Africa win fourth title in titanic battle

Jonathan Burnett

•
Rugby World Cup final result, highlights and analysis as South Africa win fourth title in titanic battle image

South Africa are world rugby champions once again, retaining their 2019 title to win the 2023 World Cup final by the finest of margins at the Stade de France. Sealing a close-run 12-11 victory over bitter rivals New Zealand, the Springboks survived a second-half onslaught that saw them twice go down to 14 players and concede the game's only try.

The first half set the tone early, with brutal defence from both sides restricting free-flowing ball movement and establishing that both the set-piece and points off the tee would be crucial. Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi was forced off just three minutes into the game, with the culprit Shannon Frizell sent to the sin-bin and Handre Pollard kicking his side into a 3-0 lead.

The sides exchanged penalties throughout the first quarter of the game, with Pollard adding two more either side of one for All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga. South Africa's 9-3 lead looked even healthier on the half-hour mark, as New Zealand captain Sam Cane was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle. This was later upgraded to red by the TMO, meaning the flanker became the first player to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final.

Another penalty for either side was converted before the break, putting South Africa 12-6 up, but the second half began in the worst possible way for the Springboks, with captain Siya Kolisi the latest player binned for a high tackle on Ardie Savea. With the game 14 vs 14 for the next 10 minutes, the All Blacks found another gear, and Aaron Smith was denied the opening try after Savea's knock-on preceded a wonderful backline move.

New Zealand wouldn't lie down wondering though, and finally cracked the South African rearguard open to cross for what proved to be the decider's only try. Jordie Barrett's wide pass gave Mark Telea the space to punch a hole in the defence, and his brother Beauden Barrett was on hand to crash over in the corner. Mo'unga pulled the conversion wide to keep the All Blacks 11-12 down, and the next 21 minutes became a game of inches with the scoreboard on a knife-edge.

As the clock ticked towards minute 80, both sides chanced their arm looking for the game-sealing points. Jordie Barrett became the All Blacks' main creator in midfield, but couldn't turn the scoreline in their favour as he pulled a late penalty just wide from long range. Meanwhile, Pollard, Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe all unsuccessfully attempted drop-goals, and things looked bleak for the Boks after the latter was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. The bleak skies would give way though, to the glorious golden shine of the Webb Ellis Cup. a late scrum held firm for South Africa, and the referee's full-time whistle sealed their passage into rugby immortality.

So close yet so far for all brave All Blacks

Rugby is a game of fine margins, and this final took that mantra to the nth degree. From Smith's no-try call, to Mo'unga's missed conversion, to Barrett's unsuccessful long-distance penalty attempt, New Zealand saw several chances to hit the front go awry, and they'll be ruing those missed opportunities for the next four years at least. However, those in the black jersey can hold their heads high, knowing they pushed the defending world champions all the way in Saint-Denis, and while careers like those of Smith and Whitelock are coming to an end, the next generation will slot in knowing they have the ability to re-take Rugby World Cup glory.

Rainbow reigns as dogged Boks defend World Cup title

It was close, boy was it close, but in the end, the Springboks will toast another four years ruling the roost of the rugby world. The 2023 final was a far cry from the maverick moves and scintillating tries of the 2019 decider, but no less effort went into a desperate defensive display. Marshalled around the park by Handre Pollard, whose 12 points off the tee proved the difference despite all coming in the first half, South Africa knew their gameplan to the most minute of details and ensured that the All Blacks could never, ever fully hit their stride. Siya Kolisi etches his name further into rugby immortality, becoming only the second captain to lift the Rugby World Cup twice, and he'll be the proudest of all when the Springboks return home with the Webb Ellis Cup in hand.

MORE: Who are the most successful sides in Rugby World Cup history?

New Zealand vs South Africa final score

  Score
New Zealand 11
South Africa 12

Tries: Beauden Barrett

Conversions: 

Penalties: Richie Mo'unga (2); Handre Pollard (4)

New Zealand vs South Africa full commentary, highlights

FT: That's all from us, and so ends the 2023 Rugby World Cup! It's been a sensational tournament from start to finish, showcasing everything we love about this most unique of games. As they did in 2019, the Springboks head home with the trophy, with the other 19 nations looking ahead to what the future holds in preparation for the 2027 edition. We'll see you much sooner than that, but for now at least, it's the warmest of goodbyes from us.

FT: The Springboks go back-to-back! That unbelievable scrum at the death gave South Africa the time they needed, and they hold on to win the Rugby World Cup by a single point! Not scoring a point in the second half, the sin-binning of Kolisi looked to have turned the tide, particularly after Barrett crossed in the corner for the game's only try. From there, defence took over, with both Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett unable to put the All Blacks in front off the tee. Chances came and went as the Boks' game management kept them ahead by a point, and the full-time whistle seals a record-breaking fourth Webb Ellis Cup title for the Rainbow Nation! 

81 mins: After two re-sets, the scrum finally holds firm, and De Klerk brings it out the back. New Zealand do everything they can to steal the ball, but it's taken over the sideline and the full-time whistle goes - South Africa have done it!!!!

80 mins: Kwagga Smith rips the ball free to Kriel, but he kicks straight back into New Zealand hands. McKenzie steps his way down the left with Savea in support, but the number eight's offload out to Lienert-Brown is knocked on and the Springboks have a scrum with less than 30 seconds on the clock!

79 mins: The replacements combine as McKenzie passes wide to Dalton Papalii, who surges down the right-hand side before being cut down short of halfway!

78 mins: The All Black scrum holds firm and Christie passes out to Damian McKenzie, but De Klerk flies out of the line to charge down his kick, deflecting the ball out for another line-out!

77 mins: Pollard returns a clearance with feeling and pops the ball up to Du Toit. He's cut down just inches from the sideline, but it comes loose in the ruck as the Boks blow a huge chance in the New Zealand 22!

76 mins: Another drop-goal attempt loading for South Africa, but Pollard's attempt takes a deflection and the ball's back in New Zealand hands!

75 mins: Barrett and Lienert-Brown combine again down the right-hand side, but the inside centre's pass is forward and the Springboks will get the scrum feed.

74 mins: Jordie Barrett steps up from long range, but his attempted three-pointer drifts wide of the sticks and it's still 12-11 to South Africa!

73 mins: Yet ANOTHER yellow card! Kolbe is penalised for a deliberate knock-on, and the referee judges it's worthy of a sin-bin and the Springbok winger will leave the field! Unless we go well beyond the initial 80, or into extra-time, Kolbe's World Cup final is over!

73 mins: A loose ball is lobbed wide by Jordie Barrett to replacement centre Anton Lienert-Brown, and the number 12 is on hand to collect his offload too. Telea drifts in-field and steps his way up to the 22, and Beauden Barrett follows in before a penalty is given New Zealand's way!

72 mins: Kolbe tries a drop-goal from the halfway line, but it's an even worse attempt than the two from Willemse and skews away to the right!

71 mins: Pollard, replacement fullback Willie le Roux and Arendse combine down the right, the latter offloading to De Klerk. He kicks ahead down the blindside, but it's taken on the full by Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett clears!

70 mins: Finlay Christie, who's on for Aaron Smith at nine, launches a box-kick to the edge of the 22. South Africa collect and De Klerk returns serve, with a dropped ball from New Zealand gifting the Springboks a scrum on halfway. It's heart-in-the-mouth time as we enter the final 10 here!

67 mins: A knock-on is called with no advantage, but half the players haven't heard the call as Kolbe races down the left wing! He's tackled short and a ruck forms, but with the support waiting to pack down for a scrum, the rogue players soon realise and come back for the set-piece.

66 mins: A well taken kick by Jordie Barrett allows him to offload to his brother Beauden, and the fullback's grubber ahead is inches short of going out for a 50-22!

65 mins: Kwagga Smith rips the ball free from another ruck for South Africa, who spread it wide for Willemse to thump clear! The return from Beauden Barrett is fielded by Kolbe, and Willemse stabs another kick over the sideline in a much healthier position for the Springboks.

64 mins: Aaron Smith and Mo'unga switch direction for the latter to pass wide to Jordan, but he's wrapped up by the Springbok defence and replacement back-row Kwagga Smith claws the ball out of his hands!

62 mins: New Zealand look to play again as the centres combine in midfield, but Jordie Barrett's offload to Ioane goes to ground and we'll pack down for another scrum.

61 mins: The first line-out after the restart is won superbly by Retallick, who pops the ball short to Smith. He darts up the blindside and kicks ahead, with the ball ricocheting off De Klerk to give the All Blacks a second successive set-piece throw in!

59 mins: TRY - New Zealand 11-12 South Africa! No doubt this time!! With pressure built in the 22, Jordie Barrett launches a hum-dinger of a wide pass out to Telea. He steps inside two before offloading to Beauden Barrett, who picks up the loose ball to dot down in the corner! The first try of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final is New Zealand's, but the first conversion attempt from Mo'unga sways wide.

57 mins: Kolisi returns from his sin-binning period, but the good news soon becomes bad for South Africa as De Klerk is judged to have won the ball illegally. The penalty decision is reversed, giving the All Blacks another shot at breaching the Springbok defence!

56 mins: The penalty line-out is New Zealand's, and both Savea and Scott Barrett take hit-ups towards the try-line. It's ripped free from the latter by De Klerk though, who comes away with it for South Africa!

54 mins: NO TRY! South Africa are spared big time! New Zealand suddenly kick into top gear as Beauden Barrett finds Mo'unga. He bursts past both Arendse and De Allende to race into the 22, and offloads inside for Smith to dive over! However, the TMO alerts the referee to a knock-on from Savea at the initial line-out, meaning we'll come back for another set-piece!

52 mins: New Zealand break off the back of the penalty line-out as Savea goes within metres. They shift back to the blindside, but surging South African defence forces the ball loose from Jordan and prevents the free-scoring winger from dotting down the game's first try!

51 mins: Quick hands down the right from New Zealand opens up space for Taylor, and he comes inside with a fleet-footed step to leave South Africa scrambling and win an offside penalty!

49 mins: Jordie Barrett climbs high to claim De Klerk's clearance and the All Blacks will look to play it wide. Jordan chips ahead, but Willemse gets back for the Springboks and sends the ball into touch.

47 mins: Forward come the All Blacks, playing 14 vs 14. A Smith box kick taken by Arendse is won back on the floor by Telea, but Mo'unga knocks on from the next phase to gift South Africa the ball back!

46 mins: YELLOW CARD!! Another sin-binning, and this time it's the Springbok captain who'll go off for 10 minutes! It's a harsh one too, as a textbook Kolisi tackle sees him accidentally make head-on-head contact with Savea. The rule is the rule though, and Kolisi will sit down awaiting the dreaded review!

45 mins: NO TRY!!! Off a Springbok scrum, the ball is shifted wide and Willemse grubbers in behind the defence. Arendse's got the run on Beauden Barrett, but the ball slips from his grasp just before he's about to ground it! That's by far the closest either side has come to a five-pointer, and the All Blacks survive by the barest of margins!

44 mins: Beauden Barrett spills another swirling kick from Pollard, and this time Du Toit is the beneficiary. His hulking frame runs down the left edge, but fantastic cover defence from Jordan takes him into touch.

43 mins: Another drop-goal attempt from Willemse is far from Stransky-eqsue, and Beauden Barrett's clearance from the 22-metre drop-out is returned at full speed by a barnstorming Vermuelen!

42 mins: HELD UP! Almost a dream re-start for South Africa as a high bomb from Pollard is spilled by Beauden Barrett. Kolisi latches onto the ball and surges to within metres of the line, but De Allende is held up over the line by desperate New Zealand defence!

41 mins: Pollard resumes proceedings at the Stade de France, kicking long into All Black territory to get the second half underway!

HT: Unless we're destined for extra-time - as these two sides were back in 1995 - the next 40 minutes will decide the fate of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The teams are back on the pitch, primed and ready for the restart, and it all comes down to this - let's go!

HT: A first half short on tries but high on drama and intensity comes to a close, with South Africa 12-6 ahead courtesy of four Pollard penalties. Mo'unga has notched two in reply for the All Blacks, who will play out the remainder of the game with just 14 men after captain Sam Cane's yellow card for a high tackle was upgraded to red. Cane was the second New Zealand flanker to go to the bin, after Frizell's roll in the ruck ended Mbonambi's final early. That indiscipline has proved the difference so far, with all 18 points so far coming off the tee despite both sides showing signs that they're here to play some wide open rugby with ball in hand. 

40 mins: Retallick steals another line-out for the All Blacks, who immediately look to play it wide. Jordie Barrett is smashed off the ball by Du Toit though, and Kriel's onto it as South Africa's defence muscles up once more as the clock strikes 40!

38 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 6-12 South Africa. We come back for the penalty, and Mo'unga slots the points over to narrow the Springboks' lead to six.

37 mins: New Zealand look to make their penalty advantage count as it's popped out to Ioane, who burns around the outside of Arendse. He's closing in on the line, but the Springbok winger recovers to make a try-saving tackle!

36 mins: The 14-man All Blacks drive forward from a line-out maul, and strong follow-up carries from Frizell and Telea take New Zealand into the 22 before winning penalty advantage!

34 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 3-12 South Africa. Pollard adds another three-pointer from right in front, extending his side's lead to nine points with half-time looming.

34 mins: RED CARD!!! A huge, huge call is made by the TMO to upgrade Cane's yellow card to a red, meaning the All Black captain will play no further part with his side about to be down by nine!

33 mins: Kolbe stabs another kick in behind to put the All Blacks under further pressure, and huge Springbok line-speed sees Kitshoff win a ruck penalty right on the try-line!

32 mins: Arendse fields a Beauden Barrett clearance and Willemse fancies returning serve with style, but his attempted drop-goal from long range falls short of the sticks and New Zealand have it back!

31 mins: Kolbe wraps around the back of a Springbok scrum and drills a kick in behind. Arendse gives chase to put Jordan under pressure, but neither get a touch as the ball goes out over the sideline for a five-metre line-out.

30 mins: Retallick does brilliantly to steal possession from South Africa's penalty line-out, and the All Blacks look to ship it wide. Beauden Barrett kicks over the top, but Willemse can watch as the ball bounces over the dead-ball line.

29 mins: ANOTHER YELLOW!!! The All Blacks return to 14 players once more after the TMO brings referee Wayne Barnes' attention to a high tackle from Cane on Kriel. There's clear shoulder-to-head contact, and the New Zealand captain can have no complaints as he's sent for a 10-minute sit down!

28 mins: New Zealand's counter-ruck is unsuccessful after Pollard is grounded with the ball just outside his own 22, but the All Blacks will get possession back after Etzebeth knocks on at the next phase.

27 mins: Another New Zealand line-out goes astray, as Taylor's throw straight over the top bounces onto the South African side. Kriel cleans up, as the Springboks are gifted an easy exit from their own 22!

26 mins: Two great pieces of forward play from the Springboks see Etzebeth pinch possession from an All Black line-out, and after Pollard's clearance is returned by Telea, Fourie gets over the ball to turn it over cleanly!

24 mins: Mo'unga hoists a high kick over halfway with Jordie Barrett giving chase. Neither he nor Arendse get a touch on the ball though, which bounces into Willemse's hands as he's drilled over the sideline by Taylor.

23 mins: De Klerk looks to have knocked on from the base of the scrum but gets the benefit of the doubt, however the chance comes to nothing regardless as Willemse's wide kick for Arendse bounces into touch.

21 mins: Off an attacking line-out, Ioane hits a short ball off Beauden Barrett to poke his nose through the line. From the next play, Mo'unga's wide ball can't be held by either Barrett or Jordan, and the Springboks will feed the resultant scrum.

19 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 3-9 South Africa. A rather harsh breakdown penalty call goes against the All Blacks, giving Pollard a shot at points. The distance doesn't phase the fly-half, and he slots the ball between the sticks with a long-range effort to re-establish the Springboks' six-point lead.

17 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 3-6 South Africa. Mo'unga doesn't pass up the opportunity of easy points, and sticks the penalty over to halve South Africa's lead and get the All Blacks on the board.

16 mins: The All Blacks build pressure in South Africa's 22 as all three Barrett brothers combine. Gaining penalty advantage, Jordie chips over the top, and a cruel bounce evades Savea to deny him a dead-cert try!

14 mins: New Zealand take a quick line-out which catches South Africa off-guard. Coming back to the blindside, Mo'unga hits Frizell on a flat ball, and the fresh-legged flanker charges over the gain-line before a penalty is won at the next ruck!

13 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 0-6 South Africa. A ruck penalty goes against the All Blacks and Pollard points to the sticks. He slots over the three-pointer to double the Springbok lead, just as Frizell returns to the field of play for New Zealand.

12 mins: The line-out maul collapses and South Africa come away with possession. Pollard, Kolbe and Malherbe all hit good lines to go within metres of the whitewash, but the All Blacks are able to keep them at bay!

10 mins: Kolbe returns a clearing kick with some quick stepping past the chasing defence, before chipping wide to Willemse. He catches the ball with Beauden Barrett approaching, and a grubber into the 22 bounces over the sideline.

9 mins: Big contact from Savea on De Allende drives the Springbok centre back over the gain-line, and the South African forwards respond by forming an open-play maul! It comes down and Willemse launches a bomb into the 22, which Mo'unga takes and marks before being dumped by Du Toit!

8 mins: The Bokke build multiple phases through strong Etzebeth and Arendse carries. Pollard launches a right-to-left kick into the 22, which Mo'unga can't take cleanly and Jordie Barrett is again called in to clear under pressure!

6 mins: Fielding a chip over the top from Pollard, Jordan is smashed by the chasing Kolbe and loses possession! Jordie Barrett cleans up for the All Blacks, but they lose further ground and will play from the edge of their own 22.

4 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 0-3 South Africa! Pollard goes for points early, and despite his fairly routine-looking attempt striking the upright, the ball makes its way between the posts to give the Springboks an early lead! Mbonambi hasn't been able to continue though sadly, so replacement hooker Deon Fourie enters the fray much earlier than he would've expected!

3 mins: YELLOW CARD! What an early twist in this World Cup final! Mbonambi's injury comes directly from Frizell dropping on his outstretched leg at the base of a ruck, and the New Zealand flanker is sent to the sin-bin! How big a loss could that prove to be?

3 mins: With Springbok hooker Mbonambi down injured in back-play, New Zealand look to make the extra man advantage count. They're stopped in their tracks though, as Etzebeth smashes Mo'unga with a ball-and-all tackle!

2 mins: The All Blacks look to play off the first line-out of the game, but Mo'unga's dropped-off ball goes to ground! Arendse grubbers ahead, but Taylor regathers for New Zealand and loses ground.

Kick-Off: Kapa O Pango rings around the Stade de France for the last time in 2023, and it's the All Blacks who'll get the Rugby World Cup final underway through the boot of Beauden Barrett!

5 mins from kick-off: God Defend New Zealand and Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika are sung louder than ever before by players and fans alike, and now, with kick-off moments away, the All Blacks line up on halfway. Aaron Smith gives the call, and leads his last Haka in an Aotearoa jersey.

10 mins from kick-off: The teams are lined up in the tunnel, and France's national stadium is packed to the rafters as we await the arrival of the 2023 Rugby World Cup finalists - New Zealand and South Africa!

15 mins from kick-off: Whitelock has moved to the bench in New Zealand's only change from their big semifinal win, with long-time partner Brodie Retallick starting at left lock. South Africa have made two changes to their XV, both in the crucial playmaking positions, with Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard starting at scrum-half and fly-half respectively in place of Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.

30 mins from kick-off: It's not just team-wide records that are set to be broken in this match. Long-serving New Zealand second-rower Sam Whitelock, who became the most capped All Black earlier in the tournament, could become the first player in history to win three Rugby World Cups, while Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will join Richie McCaw as only the second captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup back-to-back.

45 mins from kick-off: The All Blacks' only defeat in a Rugby World Cup final came in that 15-12 loss 28 years ago, while South Africa have won all three of the deciders they've played in 1995, 2007 and 2019. One of these two teams is just a few hours away from winning a record-breaking fourth title, and our guess is as good as yours when it comes to picking a winner!

1 hour from kick-off: The only other final to feature these two teams, 28 years ago in 1995, was a try-less match that became the first Rugby World Cup decider to go to extra-time. Right at the death, Joel Stransky's 90th minute drop goal won it for South Africa by 15 points to 12, as captain Francois Pienaar lifted the Webb Ellis Cup alongside the Rainbow Nation's first black president, Nelson Mandela.

1 hr 15 mins from kick-off: The Springboks' semi-final against England was a far more tense affair. No tries whatsoever until the 70-minute mark, and behind for 78 of the 80 minutes, a late surge saw RG Snyman's five-pointer and Handre Pollard's last-minute penalty snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, sending South Africa into the decider with the narrowest of 16-15 wins.

1 hr 30 mins from kick-off: New Zealand's 44-6 win over Argentina in the semifinals saw them score seven tries without reply, and that's one hell of a precedent to set ahead of a match with the reigning champions. The All Blacks lost 35-7 to South Africa in the warm-up match directly before the tournament, but their form has sky-rocketed in the weeks since.

1 hr 45 mins from kick-off: These two sides have for so long set the bar in international rugby, and are facing off in their first World Cup Final since 1995 - before the sport had turned professional - we're set for a mouth-watering decider at the Stade de France.

2 hours from kick-off: Good evening, and welcome to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup! New Zealand and South Africa are just under two hours away from resuming their fierce rivalry, and will do so on the greatest stage of all to decide which nation takes home the Webb Ellis Cup for a record-breaking fourth time.

MORE: Rugby World Cup predictions - which side will lift the Webb Ellis Cup?

New Zealand vs South Africa confirmed line-ups

New Zealand have made just a solitary change to the side that demolished Argentina 44-6 in the last four, with second-row stalwarts Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick swapping jerseys for the latter to start in number 4. Retallick's aggression and vast skillset will be matched by Whitelock — now the highest capped All Black ever — once he comes off the bench later in the game, while captain Sam Cane and mercurial number eight Ardie Savea will also have crucial parts to play.

The rest of the XV and bench are unchanged from the semifinals, which saw the All Blacks run riot. Hat-trick hero Will Jordan is the tournament's top try-scorer with eight, and will break the record for five-pointers at a single World Cup if he can get over in the decider. Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett and Shannon Frizell also went over against the Pumas, while fly-half Richie Mo'unga, who kicked just three of seven conversions, needs to be razor-sharp off the tee this time around.

New Zealand starting XV: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.

New Zealand replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

The Boks have made some BIG calls ahead of this final, with their two changes coming in arguably the two most important positions on the pitch. Out go Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok from the squad entirely, with 2019-winning pair Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard donning numbers nine and 10. The control exerted by the pair in the second half of their semifinal against England was to such importance that the Springboks simply would not be here otherwise — not least thanks to Pollard's long range penalty which turned the 16-15 scoreline in their favour.

The rest of the XV remains unchanged from both the quarter and semifinals, but the bench sees a big shake-up. The Springboks pioneered a 7-1 split of forwards and backs on the bench in their 35-7 win over New Zealand in August, and that exact combination returns with a vengeance. De Klerk and Pollard's places on the bench are taken by the bullish Jean Kleyn and Jasper Wiese, while Trevor Nyakane replaces Vincent Koch as South Africa's replacement tighthead.

South Africa starting XV: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermuelen.

South Africa replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie le Roux.

MORE: History of the Rugby World Cup as 10th tournament nears dramatic conclusion

New Zealand vs South Africa live stream, TV channel

TV networks worldwide will be showing all 48 matches at the tournament live, including many on free-to-air television.

On social platforms alone, video content from the Rugby World Cup and organisers World Rugby drew more than 2.1 billion views in 2019 — almost six times the previous figure.

  TV channel Streaming
USA CNBC Fubo, Peacock
Canada TSN

TSN+

UK ITV ITV X
Australia Channel 9 Stan Sport, 9Now
New Zealand Sky GO Sky GO
India — Fan Code
Hong Kong BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Malaysia BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Singapore BeIN Sports BeIN Sports

New Zealand vs. South Africa betting odds, prediction

We're set for a game that'll be played on an absolute knife-edge, and as such, picking a winner from these two star-studded teams is quite the challenge! Pre-tournament, you'd easily have argued that the Springboks would beat New Zealand in a decider, particularly after their 35-7 demolition of the All Blacks at Twickenham.

The World Cup itself is a different beast though, and South Africa have had to withstand three phenomenally tight, physical games on their way to the final. They lost 13-8 to Ireland in Pool B, but then edged both France and England by a single point each to make the decider.

New Zealand, meanwhile, were outplayed by France in their opener, but since then, the All Blacks have only really been forced into top gear during their 28-24 victory over Ireland in the quarter-finals. Therefore, despite the big-game experience gathered by this Springboks squad four years ago, we feel that the All Blacks will have too much speed and attacking flair for them to handle. It'll be a close game, no doubt about it, but one that New Zealand will scrape by a margin of seven or less points.

Result Australia (Unibet) UK (BetOnSports)
New Zealand win 1.78 8/11
New Zealand win AET 1.76 4/6
Draw (after 80 mins) 23.00 18/1
South Africa win 2.15 6/5
South Africa win AET 2.07 11/10

Jonathan Burnett

Jonathan Burnett Photo

Jonathan is a freelance content producer and commentator for Sporting News UK, with a focus on international rugby tournaments like the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup. He also works as a commentator for StatsPerform’s football network, covering matches across Europe including the Champions League, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2023 Women's World Cup. He’s a regular contributor to the history and statistics website Rugby League Project.

Jonny graduated from Leeds University with a journalism degree in 2021 and was Head of Media at Widnes Vikings RLFC in 2023. A self-confessed nerd of rugby league, union and football (soccer). Jonathan’s coverage across several sports can be found on the TSN site.