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.
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.