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New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final as South Africa retained their title with a nail-biting 12-11 victory at Stade de France.<\/p>\n
Cane was shown a red card for in the 28th minute for a dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel but the All Blacks responded with character and resilience to take the champions to the wire on a wet Paris night.<\/p>\n
Beauden Barrett ran in the first try ever scored against South Africa in a World Cup final as the final quarter approached but, with Richie Mo\u2019unga unable to add the conversion, New Zealand still trailed.<\/p>\n
Jordie Barrett then missed a tricky long-range penalty that would have toppled the Springboks and despite furious late attempts to strike from long range they were unable to break through the green wall.<\/p>\n
Handre Pollard kicked four first-half penalties but South Africa failed to score again after the interval of one of the greatest finals that ended with the 80,000 crowd on their feet in nervous anticipation.<\/p>\n
The victory means South Africa are the most successful nation in men\u2019s World Cup history with their fourth crown nudging them clear of the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
And it came despite one of their worst fears materialising in the third minute when Mbongeni Mbonambi \u2013 the only specialist hooker in their matchday 23 \u2013 was injured by a dangerous clear out by Shannon Frizell.<\/p>\n
Mbonambi departed and on came Deon Fourie, a 37-year-old who has played most of his rugby in the back row. Referee Wayne Barnes confirmed shortly after that Mbonambi\u2019s departure was tactical only.<\/p>\n
Pollard rifled over successive penalties to reward mounting Springboks pressure but, having been shown a yellow card, Frizell survived the bunker review of his offending crocodile roll.<\/p>\n
There was no let up in tension on a night dominated by two ferocious defences and the scoreboard continued to tick over when Mo\u2019unga and Pollard took successful shots at goal.<\/p>\n
The World Cup\u2019s most ruthless attack was making little headway against its meanest defence and twice New Zealand were turned over as an error-strewn spell was compounded with an overthrown line-out.<\/p>\n
Cane was the next All Black into the sin-bin for his high tackle on Kriel and South Africa continued to win every meaningful moment of the contest.<\/p>\n
And it got worse for New Zealand as, just moments before Pollard landed his fourth penalty, Cane\u2019s yellow card was upgraded to red by the bunker.<\/p>\n
South Africa came under furious attack in response but with Eben Etzebeth cynically returning to an onside position while interfering with play, they only conceded three points to Mo\u2019unga.<\/p>\n
Next into the sin bin was Siya Kolisi for a challenge on Savea that resulted in a clash of heads and the All Blacks appeared to have exploited his absence by scoring through Aaron Smith only for an earlier knock-on to be spotted.<\/p>\n
Upon Kolisi\u2019s return they succeeded, however, when Mark Telea ran a mazy line and after he dropped the ball a superb pick up by Barrett allowed the full-back to touch down.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga missed the conversion so Zealand trailed by a point and there was no let up in drama as the final quarter ebbed and flowed.<\/p>\n
Wing Cheslin Kolbe became the third yellow card but Jordie Barrett was wide with the penalty attempt and, in the face of a determined final attack from the All Blacks, South Africa held out to successfully defend the trophy they won against England four years ago.<\/p>\n