Rugby World Cup Final: New Zealand and South Africa’s competition and history

Rugby World Cup final of 2023: New Zealand and South Africa find themselves on the cusp of rewriting the annals of rugby history. Both nations are locked in an intense battle for the ultimate prize seeking to incise their names. In the records of the RWC 2023 as the first team to secure a remarkable fourth championship title.

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New Zealand and South Africa find themselves on the cusp of rewriting the annals of rugby history

This historic pursuit adds an extra layer of intrigue and anticipation to the championship match. As neither country has achieved this remarkable feat in the storied history of the Rugby World Cup. The RWC 2023 final presents a moment of great significance not only for the teams and their passionate supporters but for the broader rugby community worldwide.

With a legacy of excellence and sporting rivalry that transcends generations the clash between New Zealand and South Africa. In the Rugby World Cup final epitomizes the essence of rugby competition at its highest level. The world’s eyes are firmly fixed on this monumental showdown as these two giants of the sport aim to seize the title. In the most prestigious fixture on the rugby calendar leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

The upcoming showdown in Paris marks the second Rugby World Cup final encounter between these two formidable sides. It was back in 1995 when South Africa emerged victorious on their home turf in Johannesburg, a historic moment etched into the annals of the RWC. The iconic win was secured in extra time with Joel Stransky’s memorable drop-goal, a pivotal moment that played a significant role in unifying the nation.

Rugby World Cup 2023: South Africa and New Zealand face each other in the Final

The rugby history and rivalry between these two nations are long and illustrious and as RWC 2023 approaches, another thrilling chapter is set to be added. As former South Africa international Bobby Skinstad highlighted on the Rugby Union Daily podcast both countries are frontier-type societies. One is a small cluster of islands on the distant side of the world, the other a remote corner of Africa.

Rugby a gift from the colonial era has been embraced by both and allowed them to triumph over the colonial powers at their own game. The backdrop of the Rugby World Cup 1995 final adds to the significance of the upcoming match. South Africa made their tournament debut as hosts in 1995, following a period of sporting isolation that excluded them from the first two editions.

New Zealand became the first nation to achieve back-to-back Rugby World Cups

New Zealand had reached the final largely thanks to Jonah Lomu’s four remarkable tries in their semifinal victory over England. With Lomu’s seemingly unstoppable form, they entered the final as favourites, setting the stage for an epic clash. The 1995 Rugby World Cup final was a hard-fought contest with neither team managing to score a try.

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Instead, Joel Stransky and Andrew Mehrtens engaged in an exchange of penalties and drop goals, resulting in a deadlock at full-time. The game was pushed into extra time, where Stransky’s precise drop-goal ultimately clinched the Webb Ellis Cup. In the lead-up to the final, New Zealand faced adversity as several of their players fell ill.

RWC 2023: South Africa’s defensive prowess disordered New Zealand’s game

However, Mehrtens emphasized that by the time the match commenced. The squad was in full health refusing to attribute their defeat to a disrupted preparation. He credited South Africa’s relentless tackling as the decisive factor, noting that they targeted Jonah Lomu, even famously halting him with a tackle by Joost van der Westhuizen.

South Africa’s defensive prowess disrupted New Zealand’s game which had been highly successful throughout the tournament. The iconic moment in the 1995 final came when Nelson Mandela the former political prisoner who had become the unifying president of South Africa, presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar.

What made this moment even more significant was Mandela wearing a South African rugby shirt adorned with the Springbok badge. A symbol previously associated with the apartheid era and reviled by many non-white South Africans. Mehrtens reflected on the magnitude of the occasion particularly the encounter Meeting Nelson Mandela before the match was a profound and emotional moment for everyone involved.

New Zealand holds the edge with more wins than Springboks

Andrew Mehrtens vividly recalled the conflicting thoughts that swirled in his head at that pivotal juncture. He was keenly aware of the historical significance of encountering this iconic figure, revered worldwide. However, he couldn’t escape the immediate task at hand ensuring a successful kick-off that travelled the required ten meters.

In a more recent Twickenham match, the All Blacks found themselves on the receiving end of their most substantial defeat in history. As South Africa dominated with a 35-7 victory in their final warm-up game before RWC 2023. This defeat surpassed the All-Blacks’ prior record loss by 21 points and ended their impressive 11-match unbeaten run.

RWC: New Zealand holds the edge with more wins than Springboks

Looking at their 105 previous encounters, New Zealand holds the edge with 62 wins while the Springboks have notched 39 victories with four draws in the mix. In the context of Rugby World Cups, the All Blacks have an advantage with three wins compared to South Africa’s two. South Africa stuns England in thrilling Rugby World Cup Semi-Final.

Reflecting on Rugby World Cup final victories, South Africa had to wait 12 years after their 1995 triumph to secure their second RWC win when they defeated England 15-6 in Paris. Another 12-year gap preceded Siya Kolisi’s trophy lift following a commanding 32-12 win over England in Japan. New Zealand, on the other hand, co-hosted and claimed their first World Cup in 1987, besting France 29-9 in the final.

Their second triumph came after a 24-year wait as tournament hosts clinched an 8-7 victory over France in 2011 at Eden Park. Four years later, they repeated the feat with a convincing 34-17 win over Australia at Twickenham. In doing so, New Zealand became the first nation to achieve back-to-back Rugby World Cups, a feat South Africa aspires to replicate in the upcoming final.

Skinstad remarked that I’m fully aware of the profound rivalry that runs between these two nations, who share both love and animosity for each other within the context of this exquisite sport. Our nation gazes upon New Zealand with a degree of irritation seeing how they’ve managed to secure consecutive victories in the Rugby World Cups.

Rugby World Cup: South Africa directed their way through every top-six squad

Regarding the paths leading to the 2023 final, South Africa navigated their way through every top-six team in the current world rankings. The Springboks commenced their journey with a win over Scotland but clinched second place in Pool B having narrowly lost to Ireland. They went on to secure one-point triumphs over France and England in the knockout stage.

South Africa’s defensive prowess disordered New Zealand’s game

On the other side, the All Blacks faced an initial setback losing their opening match to France. However, they regrouped with a stunning 96-point display against Italy. And triumphed in knockout games against the top-ranked Ireland and Argentina to book their place in the final.

The upcoming final could potentially see New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock becoming the first player to clinch a third Rugby World Cup title having previously tasted victory in 2011 and 2015. His current tally of eight tries matches the records held by Jonah Lomu 1999, Bryan Habana 2007 and Julian Savea 2015.

Notably, the Barrett brothers Jordie, Beauden and Scott have the opportunity to make history by starting together. In their first final for New Zealand, with Beauden being the sole brother to have participated in a final back in 2015. South Africa, in turn, seeks to join New Zealand as the only team to secure consecutive Rugby World Cups. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi aspires to join Richie McCaw as the only skipper to achieve back-to-back tournament victories.

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