Rassie Erasmus’ dream journey as the Springboks coach continues as South Africa win the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, to become the first side the win the World Cup having lost a game in the pool stage.
South Africa get their third title
Joining the ranks of 1995 and 2007, Siya Kolisi’s crew lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Dominating at the scrum the Springboks forced England into uncharacteristic mistakes throughout their gutsy performance.
Losing Kyle Sinckler early on was never an ideal start but the Boks power was too much for Eddie Jones’ men, as it has been for most sides this campaign.
They become the first side to win both the Rugby Championship and World Cup in the same year, and the first team to win the World Cup having lost a game.
England made too many errors
The pressure the Springboks put them under forced far too many mistakes for a side that wanted to win it’s second World Cup. Back foot ball and forcing passes left many an attack dead in the water and killed any momentum.
Despite their lack of cohesion they were in it till the final quarter before a quick brace of tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe stretched their lead.
HOW GOOD.
This try, in the Rugby World Cup final, was sensational from Cheslin Kolbe. pic.twitter.com/DXZFGG3DTz
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 3, 2019
Eddie Jones and his side will be gutted they didn’t fully turn up but with such a young squad – the third youngest at the tournament – they have time to go again.
Rugby World Cup final win sees a nation brought together
South Africa has had its issues, far away from the rugby pitch. The apartheid issues and Nelson Mandela’s campaigning set the path for equity and equality.
Having been the first black captain to lift the World Cup, Kolisi has united a nation in a game that transcends sport. It’s brought a country together at a time where politics could easily have divided it.
The victory today for the Boks will go much deeper than pleasing rugby fans, it’ll satisfy a nation and its people.
“Main photo credit”
