Where to watch New Zealand vs South Africa: Live stream, TV channel, lineups, odds for Rugby World Cup final

Well, here we go then.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final is upon us at last, with a salivating decider pitting the titanic rugby union nations of New Zealand and South Africa against each other. The pair have gone toe-to-toe many a time over the past century, including the final of the 1995 tournament, and now both have a golden chance to add a record-breaking fourth Webb Ellis Cup title to their illustrious arsenal of silverware.

New Zealand's sluggish start to the tournament — which saw them lose their opener to hosts France after a 35-7 thumping by the Springboks in the warm-ups — feels like ancient history now, particularly given the manner in which the All Blacks have reached the decider. With Namibia, Italy and Uruguay all swept aside by 70+ points, Ian Foster's side dumped world number one side Ireland out in the quarters before a statement 44-6 victory over Argentina saw them canter into the final last weekend.

Your 2023 finalists.#RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/hfOeMhqb7z

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 21, 2023

The Springboks have taken a far tougher road to reach their second consecutive final. The defending champions recovered from a bruising 13-8 loss to Ireland in Pool B by edging France 29-28 in the quarterfinals, sending Les Blues packing at their own World Cup. Beaten 2019 finalists England awaited in the semis and pushed South Africa right to the death, but Handre Pollard's last gasp penalty sealed a 16-15 scoreline, squeezing the Boks into the decider by the narrowest of margins.

The final itself is set up to be one of the all-time great games (of which we've already seen plenty at this tournament). Double winners in 2011 and 2015, the All Blacks are keen to re-establish their dominance at the sport's top table, and no way of doing so would be sweeter than a World Cup final win over their biggest rivals.

An album of memories!

Tomorrow, the next chapter will be written 🇿🇦🏆#StrongerTogether #Springboks #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/23LJeDSoIM

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 27, 2023

On the other hand, over 20 members of this Springbok squad were part of the side that won the final four years ago in Yokohama. They've been put through the ringer, both in terms of injuries and physical, nail-bitingly tight games to reach the 2023 decider, and could well invoke the spirits of 1995 to take a record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup title back to the Rainbow Nation.

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

What time does New Zealand vs South Africa kick off?

New Zealand and South Africa face off in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. The game kicks off at 9 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Here are the kick-off times for this game around the world:

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.

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

New Zealand vs South Africa lineups, team news

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 last time we performed the Haka at a RWC Final 😤#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/rzPvGODdwJ

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 27, 2023

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.

Last Dance 2023.#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/NxwZCvhVIh

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 26, 2023

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.

A tournament like no other for this man 🤯#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/qNhm6ZBQKM

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 26, 2023

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.

The most experienced #Springboks team ever will line up for the #RWC2023 Final against New Zealand in Paris on Saturday - more here: https://t.co/oySTFCRVOo 🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/JEeGNVyjI1

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 26, 2023

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 quarterfinals. 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.