- Despite late surges and desperate attempts to breach the formidable Springboks' defence, New Zealand could not break through the so-called "green wall."
In a historic Rugby World Cup final, South Africa triumphed over New Zealand by a single point to secure their fourth championship title.
The match, held at the Stade de France on October 28, 2023, witnessed New Zealand captain Sam Cane becoming the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final.
Despite the setback, the All Blacks displayed resilience and fought valiantly throughout the game, pushing the defending champions to their limits on a rainy night in Paris.
Cane's red card was shown in the 28th minute for a dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel. However, the All Blacks refused to buckle under pressure and responded with character and determination.
As the final quarter approached, Beauden Barrett scored the first try ever conceded by South Africa in a World Cup final. Nevertheless, Richie Mo'unga's missed conversion left New Zealand trailing behind.
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The tension continued to build as Jordie Barrett attempted a challenging long-range penalty that could have turned the tide in favour of the All Blacks. However, his effort fell short, allowing South Africa's resilient defence to hold strong.
Despite late surges and desperate attempts to breach the formidable Springboks' defence, New Zealand could not break through the so-called "green wall."
The highly anticipated rematch of the 1995 final saw the All Blacks entering the game as marginal favourites.
They had previously dominated Argentina in the earlier round with ease. In contrast, South Africa had faced a formidable challenge from England, narrowly escaping defeat.
However, the final proved that predictions and reputations counted for little on the grand stage of the World Cup.
