South Africa won a record fourth Rugby World Cup after overpowering New Zealand in a brutal final.
The game saw four cards — including a red for All Blacks flanker Sam Cane — and the Springboks held on for a nail-biting 12-11 victory.
Handre Pollard, who missed the start of the World Cup due to injury, kicked four penalties and skipper Siya Kolisi could have seen read for a head-on-head tackle on Ardie Savea.
Cheslin Kolbe was sin-binned late on for a deliberate knock-on but the All Blacks could not take advantage after playing much of the game with 14 men after Cane was dismissed in the 29th minute for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.
Richie Mo’unga kicked two penalties before a Beauden Barrett try set up a blockbuster finish.
Jordie Barrett missed a long-range penalty late on which would have given his side the lead, while Aaron Smith had an earlier score ruled out.
Skipper Kolisi told the BBC: “There are no ways I can explain it. I want to give credit to the All Blacks.
“They took us to the end, they took us to a dark place. It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game. They put us under so much pressure.
“Credit to my boys too for the fight. I am just grateful we could pull it off.”
Incredibly, South Africa won all three of their knockout games by a single point as they defended the title they won in Japan four years ago.
Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson, who lifted the trophy in 2003, told the BBC: “I think we have witnessed the greater ever rugby side.
“The way they have come through their group and the knockouts — it is remarkable.
“I don’t think it will ever be surpassed and all with the label as current world champions — that target on their back.”
(Livescore)
