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The talk in the week leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand was “could the Springboks muster up another massive effort for 80 minutes after two monumental games against France in the quarter final and England in the semi final?”
That question was being asked most of all and I, myself, was of the belief that the Bok tank was near on empty and doubted that the men in Green and Gold could stand up to the high-tempo running game the All Blacks would bring.
My heart said South Africa but my brain was telling me New Zealand. I stated to my mates, colleagues and others that if South Africa could stay within touch of the All Blacks in the first 20 minutes, and not let them run in two or three quick tries, then we might just stand a chance and snatch the game in the final 20 minutes.
In the hour leading up to the first whistle, the fires were roaring, the beers were flowing and the nerves were at an all-time high. The anthems were sung – with passion – the Haka was performed, and then Wayne Barnes blew on his whistle to start what would be an epic battle of all proportions.
The Springboks placed the All Blacks under early pressure, claiming an early 6-0 lead thanks to the steady boot of flyhalf Handre Pollard with New Zealand flanker Shannon Fizell in the sin-bin. Pollard’s first one gave us heart palpitations as it skimmed the inside of the near post before raising the flags of the touch judges.
This was a titanic battle between two heavy-weight boxers going 10 rounds. The sparring, jabbing, missed right-hooks and upper-cuts was immense as the sides looked to gain the upper hand.
Pollard and New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo’unga traded penalties before a defining moment in the match spurred the All Blacks into life. New Zealand captain Sam Cane was binned with a referral after a high hit on Springbok centre Jessie Kriel. The yellow was then upgraded to a red after the review and Cane’s World Cup was over.
With Cane off the field, Mo’unga and Pollard again traded blows, leaving the All Black 12-6 down going into the break. What lay ahead was 40 titanic minutes, 40 minutes that would age many!
Siya Kolisi had the chance early in the second half to open the scoring after picking up on a loose ball and charging down the righthand touchline, but instead of offloading to a flying Kriel on his outside, decided to dummy and go it alone, only to be hauled down short of the line. A massive moment in the match went abegging.
Siya’s sins would be paid for as he, too, was binned for a high challenge, although his yellow was not upgraded to a red like Cane’s was, due to him having being bent at the hips and going in low.
The All Blacks went over in the lefthand corner, only for the try to be scratched after the TMO made Barnes aware of an earlier knock-on, but the knock-on was due to an illegal act at the lineout by Eben Etzebeth. The All Blacks kicked to the corner, keeping the pressure on the Boks.
Eventually, the pressure told and a pass loose pass to Beauden Barrett – which looked to go forward – saw the fullback go over in the lefthand corner. Mo’unga though, crucially, missed the conversion, leaving New Zealand trailing by a single point with 20 minutes to go – the final 20 minutes in which I said if we could hang in, would win it there.
But those final minutes were agonizing as New Zealand threw everything they had at the Springbok defense. But the defense was resolute. Pieter-Steph du Toit was immense all game and at halftime, I made the comment to my mate that PSdT was my man of the match already!
Then chaos! With seven minutes left on the clock, and the All Blacks once again throwing the kitchen sink, dishwasher, kettle and toaster at the Boks, Cheslin Kolbe stuck out his left arm while going in for a tackle, knocking the ball out of the air.
Barnes had no choice but to pull out his little yellow card and send the Springbok flyer to the bin, leaving the teams matched at 14-men alike for the remainder of the game.
The resulting penalty, 10m inside the Springbok half and 10m in from touch, saw Barrett step up to give the All Blacks the lead. However, the penalty was pulled left of the uprights, with All Black fans holding their heads while Bok fans farted and let out a massive sigh of relief.
The Boks though controlled the game well, gave every last breath in their bodies, every last fibre of their being was laid out on the field and with a scrum in the final minute, inside the Springbok 22m area, one last effort was required.
The Boks had not dominated the scrums as they had done all tournament. The All Blacks matched the Boks upfront, which made me nervous all evening. But the Bok scrum held firm, went side ways and Barnes blew his whistle. With hearts in mouths, we waited to see see Barnes raise his right arm in favour of New Zealand – but he didn’t. A reset was called.
Now just seconds remained. The Bok scrum was under pressure – but Faf de Klerk managed to get the ball out just in time and hoof it into the stands which resulted in Barnes blowing on the final whistle of the 2023 Rugby World Cup – the Boks had done it!
Four titles – the first team to do it!
Back-to-back titles away from home – the first to do it!
Much will be spoken about over the next few days and weeks, especially red card to Cane. But, what matters at the end of the day is the scoreboard – which will forever read: South Africa 12 – 11 New Zealand.
It still hasn’t sunk in yet!
