2023 Rugby World Cup final

{{Infobox rugby match

| title = 2023 Rugby World Cup final

| image = File:StadeFranceNationsLeague2018.jpg

| caption = {{nowrap|Stade de France}} hosted the final

| event = 2023 Rugby World Cup

| team1 = New Zealand

| team1association = {{flagicon|NZL|size=30px}}

| team1score = 11

| team2 = South Africa

| team2association = {{flagicon|RSA|size=30px}}

| team2score = 12

| details =

| date = 28 October 2023

| stadium = {{nowrap|Stade de France}}

| city = Saint-Denis

| man_of_the_match1a = Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

| man_of_the_match1aname = Player of the match

| referee = Wayne Barnes (England){{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news/885413/wayne-barnes-to-referee-rugby-world-cup-2023-final|title=Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final}}

| attendance = 80,065

| weather = Cloudy
{{convert|15|°C|°F|abbr=on}}
82% humidity{{cite web |url=https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/fr/bonneuil-en-france/LFPB/date/2023-10-28 |title=Bonneuil-en-France, Val-d'Oise, France Weather History |publisher=Weather Underground |date=28 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 }}

| previous = 2019

| next = 2027

}}

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final was a rugby union match played on 28 October 2023 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. It marked the culmination of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and was played between New Zealand and defending champions, South Africa, with the latter winning by a single point to claim their fourth Webb Ellis Cup, becoming the first nation to do so.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-21 |title=World Cup 2023 final |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/world-cup-2023-final-2023-10-20/ |access-date=2023-10-22}} South Africa became the first team to ever win back to back Rugby World Cup tournaments away from home, with Siya Kolisi the first ever captain to accomplish the away double.

New Zealand and South Africa last played in a Rugby World Cup final in 1995, which South Africa won 15–12. The two sides had met in five previous World Cup encounters with New Zealand winning three and South Africa winning two. This was the first time that both finalists had already lost a game during the World Cup. For New Zealand this was a record fifth appearance in a final, while South Africa made a fourth appearance and also entered having never lost in a final.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-27 |title=Boks expect 'grind' against All Black rivals in World Cup final |language=en |work=France24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231027-boks-expect-grind-against-all-black-rivals-in-world-cup-final |access-date=2023-10-27}}

The final saw South Africa win a record fourth World Cup title, with both sides having already won the World Cup on three occasions.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/rugby-union/65868360|title=An amazing achievement' - reaction after South Africa win fourth World Cup|date=28 October 2023|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=1 November 2023}}

Route to the final

style="text-align:center"

style="background:#9cf"

!colspan=2 style="width:1*"|New Zealand

!Round

!colspan=2 style="width:1*"|South Africa

style="background:#c1e0ff"

|colspan=2|Pool A

|rowspan=2|Pool stage

|colspan=2|Pool B

style="background:#c1e0ff"

|Opponent

|Result

|Opponent

|Result

|13–27

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 1

|{{ru|SCO}}

|18–3

|71–3

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 2

|{{ru|ROM}}

|76–0

|96–17

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 3

|{{ru|IRE}}

|8–13

|73–0

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Match 4

|{{ru|TON}}

|49–18

colspan="2" align="center"|{{2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A|hide_results=y|show_points_difference=n|showteam=NZL}}

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Final standing

|colspan="2" align="center"|{{2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B|hide_results=y|show_points_difference=n|showteam=RSA}}

style="background:#c1e0ff"

|Opponent

|Result

|Knockout stage

|Opponent

|Result

|28–24

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Quarter-finals

|{{ru|FRA}}

|29–28

|44–6

|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Semi-finals

|{{ru|ENG}}

|16–15

=New Zealand=

File:Rugby World Cup Trophy.JPG]]

New Zealand began their World Cup campaign with a defeat to hosts France in the opening match of the tournament.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Henson|title=Hosts record impressive opening World Cup win over three-time champions|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66758475|date=8 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} They would put that result behind them as they went on to win by a considerable margin in all of their remaining pool matches to qualify for the knockout stage, with a 71–3 victory over Namibia,{{cite web|title=All Blacks run in 11 tries but Ethan de Groot sent off|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66826612|date=15 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} 96–17 against Italy,{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Rindl|title=All Blacks move to cusp of Rugby World Cup quarter-finals|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66965427|date=29 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} and 73–0 against Uruguay.{{cite web|first=Alastair|last=Telfer|title=All Blacks reach quarter-finals with 11-try win|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67021820|date=5 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} In the quarter-finals, New Zealand faced Pool B winners and number 1 ranked in the world Ireland, where they came out winners in a tight affair with a scoreline of 28–24.{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Gault|title=All Blacks break Irish hearts and set up Argentina semi-final|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67105292|date=14 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} In the semi-final at the Stade de France, New Zealand played Argentina, where The All Blacks defeated Los Pumas 44–6{{cite web|first=Mantej|last=Mann|title=All Blacks cruise into record fifth final|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67177704|date=20 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}} to reach their fifth Rugby World Cup final, a record as they went ahead of Australia and England who had both reached four finals. The All Blacks were also looking for their record fourth Rugby World Cup title, having won in 1987 followed by victories in 2011 and 2015.

=South Africa=

Defending champions South Africa had reached what was their fourth Rugby World Cup final following a spell of tight margins in the lead up. The Springboks had managed to breeze through Pool B, where despite falling at the Ireland hurdle in a 13–8 defeat,{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Gault|title=Irish earn statement World Cup win over holders in Paris

|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66902188|date=23 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} they secured victories over Scotland,{{cite web|first=Thomas|last=Duncan|title=Springboks too strong for Scots in Rugby World Cup opener|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66768695|date=10 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} Romania,{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Rindl|title=Cobus Reinach scores second-fastest World Cup hat-trick|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66838023|date=17 September 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} and Tonga{{cite web|first=Alastair|last=Telfer|title=World champions edge towards quarter-finals with bonus-point win

|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66977394|date=1 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} to finish second in the pool and advance to the knockout stage. In the quarter-finals, they faced the hosts France, who had topped Pool A ahead of New Zealand. In a World Cup thriller at the Stade de France, South Africa overcame their French counterparts with a 29–28 victory.{{cite web|first=Mantej|last=Mann|title=Defending champions overcome hosts in World Cup thriller|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67118673|date=15 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} In the semi-final, South Africa played England, in a repeat of the 2007 and 2019 final. In another tight affair in Saint-Denis, South Africa completed a comeback through a late Handré Pollard penalty to win 16–15{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Henson|title=Springboks fightback settles World Cup semi-final|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67182592|date=21 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|website=BBC Sport}} and advance to their fourth Rugby World Cup final where they would attempt to defend their trophy.

Match

=Summary=

==First half==

In the 2nd minute, New Zealand's Shannon Frizell received a yellow card for falling on top of the leg of Bongi Mbonambi. Mbonambi was forced off for the remainder of the match with a knee injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/world-cup-final-bongi-mbonambi-injury-card-b2437755.html|title=South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi suffers Rugby World Cup final heartbreak with injury|date=28 October 2023|work=The Independent|accessdate=1 November 2023}}

South Africa went on to take a 6–0 lead with two penalties converted by Handré Pollard before Richie Mo'unga scored for New Zealand with a penalty after 17 minutes. Pollard scored another penalty two minutes later to make it 9–3.{{cite news |last1=AINSWORTH |first1=IMOGEN |title=NEW ZEALAND 11-12 SOUTH AFRICA: SPRINGBOKS CLAIM RECORD FOURTH WORLD CUP WITH NARROW WIN OVER 14-MAN ALL BLACKS |url=https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/world-cup/2023/new-zealand-v-south-africa-rugby-world-cup-final-live_sto9855397/story.shtml |access-date=29 October 2023 |work=Eurosport |date=28 October 2023}}

In the 28th minute, New Zealand's captain Sam Cane was given a yellow card for a high shoulder tackle to the head of South Africa's Jesse Kriel which was later upgraded to a red card after a bunker review.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67189579|title=Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand & South Africa's rivalry and history|date=23 October 2023|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=26 October 2023}} Pollard scored another penalty in the 34th minute before Mo'unga replied with his second penalty to leave the score 12–6 at half-time.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/south-africa-12-new-zealand-11-as-it-happened-springboks-see-off-brave-effort-from-14-man-all-blacks-by-minimum/a292668695.html|title=South Africa 12 New Zealand 11 as it happened: Springboks see off brave effort from 14-man All Blacks by minimum|date=28 October 2023|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=1 November 2023}}

==Second half==

In the 45th minute, South African captain Siya Kolisi received a yellow card for a head high tackle on Ardie Savea which was also reviewed for a potential red card. On review, it remained a yellow card. In the 54th minute, New Zealand thought that they had scored a try. Aaron Smith went over the try line in the left corner. However, the TMO review showed that the ball had been knocked on by Ardie Savea before it was released from the initial lineout.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby-world-cup/2023/1028/1413502-rwc-final-new-zealand-v-south-africa-build-up/|title=Rugby World Cup final: Springboks retain World Cup after thriller with New Zealand|date=28 October 2023|work=RTE Sport|accessdate=1 November 2023}}

They did get a try in the 58th minute. Beauden Barrett went over the try line on the left after an offload from Mark Tele'a. Richie Mo'unga missed the conversion from the left that would have put New Zealand in front. With 7 minutes to go, Cheslin Kolbe received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and New Zealand missed the critical penalty to seal their victory. South Africa held on to win 12–11 and claim their fourth World Cup title.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/28/rugby-world-cup-final-new-zealand-v-south-africa-live-score-updates|title=Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa – as it happened|date=28 October 2023|work=Guardian|accessdate=1 November 2023}}

=Details=

{{Rugbybox

|date = 28 October 2023

|time = 21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

|home = {{ru-rt|NZL}}

|score = 11–12

|report = [https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news/888593/nzl-11-12-rsa-south-africa-win-tense-final-to-claim-fourth-rugby-world-cup Report]

|away = {{ru|RSA}}

|try1 = B. Barrett 58' m

|pen1 = Mo'unga (2/2) 17', 38'

|pen2 = Pollard (4/4) 3', 13', 19', 34'

|stadium = Stade de France, Saint-Denis

|attendance = 80,065

|referee = Wayne Barnes (England){{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/885413/wayne-barnes-to-referee-rugby-world-cup-2023-final |title=Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |publisher=Rugby World Cup |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023}}

}}

width=92%

{{Football kit

| pattern_la =

| pattern_b = _Allblacks23h

| pattern_ra =

| pattern_so =

| leftarm = 000000

| body = 000000

| rightarm = 000000

| shorts = 000000

| socks = 000000

| title = New Zealand

}}

|{{Football kit

| pattern_la = _sa23h

| pattern_b = _sa23h

| pattern_ra = _sa23h

| pattern_sh =

| pattern_so = _Springboksocks19

| leftarm = 006400

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| rightarm = 006400

| shorts = FFFFFF

| socks = 1b3838

| title = South Africa

}}

width="25"\|	width="25"\|
style="width:100%"
style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"\| {\| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
FB	15	Beauden Barrett
RW	14	Will Jordan		{{suboff\|71}}
OC	13	Rieko Ioane
IC	12	Jordie Barrett
LW	11	Mark Tele'a
FH	10	Richie Mo'unga		{{suboff\|75}}
SH	9	Aaron Smith		{{suboff\|66}}
N8	8	Ardie Savea
OF	7	Sam Cane (c)	{{sent off\|0\|27}}
BF	6	Shannon Frizell	{{yel\|2}}	{{suboff\|55}}
RL	5	Scott Barrett
LL	4	Brodie Retallick		{{suboff\|71}}
TP	3	Tyrel Lomax		{{suboff\|66}}
HK	2	Codie Taylor		{{suboff\|66}}
LP	1	Ethan de Groot		{{suboff\|66}}
colspan="3"\|Replacements:
HK	16	Samisoni Taukei'aho		{{subon\|66}}
PR	17	Tamaiti Williams		{{subon\|66}}
PR	18	Nepo Laulala		{{subon\|66}}
LK	19	Sam Whitelock		{{subon\|55}}
FL	20	Dalton Papalii		{{subon\|71}}
SH	21	Finlay Christie		{{subon\|66}}
FB	22	Damian McKenzie		{{subon\|75}}
CE	23	Anton Lienert-Brown		{{subon\|71}}
colspan="3"\|Coach:
colspan="3"\|{{flagicon\|NZL}} Ian Foster

|style="vertical-align:top"|350px

|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|

width="25"\|	width="25"\|
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
FB	15	Damian Willemse		{{suboff\|66}}
RW	14	Kurt-Lee Arendse
OC	13	Jesse Kriel
IC	12	Damian de Allende
LW	11	Cheslin Kolbe	{{yel\|73}}
FH	10	Handré Pollard
SH	9	Faf de Klerk
N8	8	Duane Vermeulen		{{suboff\|58}}
BF	7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
OF	6	Siya Kolisi (c)	{{yel\|45}}	{{suboff\|73}}
RL	5	Franco Mostert		{{suboff\|52}}
LL	4	Eben Etzebeth		{{suboff\|58}}
TP	3	Frans Malherbe		{{suboff\|66}}
HK	2	Bongi Mbonambi		{{suboff\|4}}
LP	1	Steven Kitshoff		{{suboff\|52}}
colspan="3"\|Replacements:
HK	16	Deon Fourie		{{subon\|4}}
PR	17	Ox Nché		{{subon\|52}}
PR	18	Trevor Nyakane		{{subon\|66}}
LK	19	Jean Kleyn		{{subon\|58}}
LK	20	RG Snyman		{{subon\|52}}
FL	21	Kwagga Smith		{{subon\|58}}
N8	22	Jasper Wiese		{{subon\|73}}
FB	23	Willie le Roux		{{subon\|66}}
colspan="3"\|Coach:
colspan="3"\|{{flagicon\|RSA}} Jacques Nienaber

style="width:100%"

Player of the Match:

Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa){{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news/888593/los-springboks-campeones-mundiales-por-cuarta-vez |title=NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |publisher=Rugby World Cup |date=28 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}

Assistant referees:

Karl Dickson (England)

Matthew Carley (England)

Television match official:

Tom Foley (England)

Reserve official:

Luke Pearce (England)

Notes:

South Africa became the first team to win a fourth World Cup title.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67262293 |title=Rugby World Cup 2023: Why does victory mean more to South Africa? |date=30 October 2023 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 October 2023}}
South Africa became the first team to win successive World Cup titles away from home.
South Africa became the second team (after New Zealand in 2015) to retain the World Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/28/south-africa-beat-new-zealand-to-win-mens-rugby-world-cup-final |title=South Africa beat New Zealand to win men's Rugby World Cup final |website=The Guardian |date=28 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}
This was the third time that the World Cup final winner earned their victory without scoring a try – a feat previously achieved by South Africa in 1995 and 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/new-zealand-south-africa-world-cup-final-result-b2437778.html |title=South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals |website=independent.co.uk |publisher=The Independent |date=29 October 2023 |access-date=29 October 2023}}
Sam Cane (New Zealand) became the first player to receive a red card in a World Cup final.{{cite news |url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-captain-sam-cane-becomes-first-ever-player-to-be-red-carded-in-rugby-world-cup-final |title=Sam Cane becomes first player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final |website=www.planetrugby.com |publisher=Planet Rugby |date=28 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}
The four cards issued in the match (one red and three yellows) set a new record for most cards issued in a World Cup final. There had been just one card issued across the previous nine finals – a yellow card against New Zealand's Ben Smith in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rugby-world-cup-2023-final-south-africa-beat-new-zealand-yellow-cards-history-news-reaction-sam-cane-red-card/news-story/ce3561c1132f739aac942b0299b2cf53 |title=Rugby World Cup 2023 final, South Africa beat New Zealand, yellow cards, history, news, reacton, Sam Cane red card |website=www.foxsports.com.au |publisher=Fox Sports Australia |date=28 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}
This was the first World Cup final in which both finalists had lost a match during the pool stages.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/rugby-world-cup-south-africa-pollard-c8b7cc8ceb68862d5852749a5ebd405b |title=Springboks defending Rugby World Cup title against All Blacks in rare final showdown |website=www.apnews.com |publisher=AP |date=26 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}
This was the first World Cup final in which all four match officials were appointed from the same union (England).{{cite news |url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby-world-cup-final-referee-and-match-officials-confirmed |title=Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed |website=www.planetrugby.com |publisher=Planet Rugby |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023}}
Brothers Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Scott Barrett all started for New Zealand – the first time that three siblings played in a World Cup final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67233312 |title=Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand v South Africa - the incredible Barrett brothers |website=www.bbc.co.uk/sport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 October 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}
Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) became the first player to score a try in 2 separate Rugby World Cup finals, having scored a try in the 2015 RWC Final and another try in the 2023 RWC Final.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/the-milestones-beauden-barrett-could-break-after-re-signing-with-new-zealand-rugby/OM37FSZWIVERXJCJWCNAFJO644/ |title=The milestones Beauden Barrett could break after re-signing with New Zealand Rugby |website=www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=5 December 2023 |access-date=5 December 2023}}

=Statistics=

width=150\| !width=90\|New Zealand !width=90\|South Africa
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+Overall{{cite web \|title=New Zealand v South Africa \|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/final-winner-semi-final-1-winner-semi-final-2#stats \|access-date=30 October 2023 \|publisher=World Rugby }}
Tries	1	0
Conversions	0	0
Penalties (attempts)	2(3)	4(4)
Drop goals (attempts)	0(0)	0(4)
colspan=3\| Match stats
Territory	53%	47%
Possession	60%	40%
colspan=3\| Attacking
Metres made	459	360
Offloads	5	7
Carries crossed gainline	66	37
Kicks from hand	34	38
Passes	221	84
Runs	149	85
colspan=3\| Defending
Tackles	92	209
Tackles missed	14	37
Turnovers won	2	7
Rucks won	115	56
Mauls won	3	2
colspan=3\| Set pieces
Scrums (won/lost)	(2/0)	(10/1)
Line-outs (won/lost)	(20/2)	(6/4)
colspan=3\| Discipline
Yellow cards	1	2
Red cards	1	0
Penalties conceded	5	10