[Source: Rugby World Cup/Facebook]

South Africa produced a magnificent defensive display to edge 14-man New Zealand 12-11 in an arm-wrestle of a Rugby World Cup final on Saturday and win the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.

Only a single yellow card had been shown in nine previous World Cup finals but the crackdown on foul play in the game led to four being handed out over 80 minutes of intense rugby played out in front of a crowd of 80,065 at the Stade de France.

All Blacks skipper Sam Cane suffered the ignominy of being the first player to be sent off in a title-decider when his card for a high tackle was upgraded to a red after a bunker review just before halftime.

Most wholesome moment of #RWC2023?#RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/5EFcl22aji

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

Despite playing for three quarters of the match a man short, however, the All Blacks stuck to their ball-running game plan and scored the game’s only try through Beauden Barrett to get within a point of the lead just before the hour mark.

The Springboks, though, muscled up in defence and held firm under huge pressure over the final quarter and Handre Pollard’s four first-half penalties proved sufficient to add another title to those of 1995, 2007 and 2019.

Two very special guests unveil the Webb Ellis Cup 😍

Who will hold it aloft after 80 minutes?#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/B4mYsqvAA0

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

South Africa kept the trophy in southern hemisphere hands for the fifth straight tournament and Siya Kolisi became only the second captain after All Black Richie McCaw to lift the trophy twice.

Simply iconic#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/SoAGJCW5v1

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

‘We are that bearing hope that they have’

This win means so much for South Africa ❤️#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/kBiMwGLK95

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

Siya Kolisi becomes the second captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/XhaPorjMNU

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

An evening he will never forget

Pieter-Steph du Toit is the @Mastercard #POTM #RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/wc0OB9kz66

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

For the fourth time 🏆🏆🏆🏆#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/PaxdEy2Q56

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

Pure ecstasy, pure agony#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/r9jIUdFDOF

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023

Out-the-back passes in a #RWCFinal? 🤤#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/2DfdJHlTQ9

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 28, 2023