FULL-TIME, NEW ZEALAND 11-12 SOUTH AFRICA! At the end the Boks grabbed the ball from the scrum and drove like they were carrying 65 million South Africans on their backs! That was the most dramatic, the most astonishing and nail-biting end to a match ever in history, or at least that's how it felt for South African fans. New Zealand were immense in the second half, but the South African defence was that of a team that simply COULD NOT LOSE! This was a victory for all South Africans, for a country that once again needs everyone to come together in celebration. It was a victory of intense defence and strategy against a foe of incredible ability, skill and power. You have to feel sorry for New Zealand who were a mighty foe, but this was a win for the mighty Springboks who now have won FOUR World Cups. They are officially the greatest… or, certainly in the eyes of their fans. What a night! What a match! It was a privilege to bring it to you… and enjoy the rest of your sporting weekend!

IT'S OVER… THE BOKS HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP!

IT'S OVER… THE BOKS HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP!

The scrum breaks and must reset… 7 seconds on the clock. I am really not watching any more…

All Black driving like mad at the Boks, Faf with an incredible ankie tap…  All Blacks press left but there's a knock on and the Boks have the scrum with 23 seconds on the clock… I can't anymore I'm not going to watch!

BRILLIANT change down from Faf and the ball is out for another lineout… All Blacks run right then left…

… superb running from the Boks, driving into the All Black 22 but there's a knock-on and the All Blacks have the scrum.

Bok scrum on the All Black 10m… Boks run the ball right, then left… the forwards driving forward…

YELLOW CARD, SOUTH AFRICA, KOLBE! Yellow card for an illegal intercept. The penalty from behind the Bok 10m line and 10m in from touch… swerves wide and the Boks still hold the lead!

Boks runs the ball, pressing the All Blacks… the kicks rain back and forth… New Zealand kick to touch. Boks win their ball… but New Zealand win turnover ball and drive at the Boks… and New Zealand win the ball.

New Zealand win their lineout and drive forward… Kolbe takes the kick over the top and now the Boks maul… Faf with the kick over the top and Barrett with the knock-on gives the Boks the scrum.

Penalty to New Zealand on their 22 and the kick goes to the halfway line.

Faf runs the line, Le Roux scuttles a kick into touch near the All Black 22…

Boks win the lineout and drive forward… Faf with a kick over the top… New Zealand with a knock on and the Boks will scrum on the halfway line.

New Zealand win their lineout and kick from inside their 22… and they chase the ball out to the Bok 22 where the Boks will feed the line.

Kolbe is getting some strapping on his leg after the heavy tackle by Smith that brought him down.

… Willemse kicks deep and New Zealand kick back… Kolbe with a brilliant run that the All Black finally haul him in.

… New Zealand drive and drive but the Bok defence is fierce and they win a turnover…

New Zealand drive forward, pushing up to the Bok 22…

THE CONVERSION IS MISSED! Mo'unga misses the conversion, and the Boks have the one-point lead…

TRY, NEW ZEALAND, BARRETT! 11-12; Brilliant play from New Zealand and Beauden Barrett goes crashing over for the first try in a World Cup final against South Africa.

New Zealand will have the penalty tho…

New Zealand win the lineout, Richie Mo’unga gets the ball and runs hard and fast, releasing Aaron Smith who dives over for the score… but the TMO is callng for a. review… and yes, it's a knock-on! No try! Massive moment in the match.

Springboks feed the scrum on their 5m… Pollard clears the danger with a kick up to their 10m…

New Zealand drive hard at the Boks and win a penalty, which is kicked into the corner for a New Zealand throw… they win the throw and press hard, but the Boks defence holds firm.

Boks win their scrum inside their half and kick to the All Blacks, New Zealand making good ground.

YELLOW CARD, SOUTH AFRICA, KOLISI; The Bok captain is carded for a tackle that made head contact… but it certainly didn't look malicious.

Boks with a scrum on the All Black 10m… Faf runs the ball, the Boks are quick to spread it… a grubber through but Kurt-Lee Arendse is pushed into touch as he dives for the line. GREAT ATTACK from the Boks!

BRILLIANT from the Boks, a powerful start ends with Siya Kolisi driving down the right wing and coming close to laying a pass off to complete a try… the Boks power to the line but can't get the ball down! New Zealand get a penalty to clear.

KICK-OFF! We're underway with the second half of the World Cup final from the Stade de France! South Africa lead New Zealand 12-6 and with a man advantage!

HALF-TIME, NEW ZEALAND 6-12 SOUTH AFRICA. What a first half! Some bruising tackling, a massive injury to Mbonambi at the start, two yellow cards and then a red for New Zealand… and so much brilliant and hard tackling from the Springboks. The one-man advantage could be massive for the Boks, but the All Blacks know how to attack clinically and with power. Right not it's the Boks' Cup to lose but they will have to defend like Trojans for 40 minutes and hope to add a try to whatever else flies off Pollard's boot. The second half will be immense… and we'll have it for you shortly!

PENALTY, NEW ZEALAND, MO'UNGA! 6-12; New Zealand pull back three points with a simple kick 10m to the right of posts and inside the Bok 22.

All Blacks pressing and pressing, run the ball to the left and it's almost a try but Kurt-Lee Arendse tackles Rieko Ioane right in the corner and pulls him out of play - astounding tackle. But New Zealand will have the penalty still…

Frizell tries to burst through the Bok like but Fourie grabs him and dumps him down - massive tackle.

PENALTY, SOUTH AFRICA, POLLARD! 3-12; Pollard nails another penalty from inside the All Black 22, 15m to the left of the posts.

HUGE NEWS! Sam Cane's yellow has been upgraded to a RED CARD… and it's 15 v 14 for the rest of the match!

Boks pressing hard inside the All Black 22, huge tackle from Siya… Boks pressing… and it's another penalty for the Boks.

New Zealand kick too deep and the Boks scrum inside the New Zealand half… Boks run the ball quick to the right, Kolbe with a grubber through to the 5m but the Boks are forced out and New Zealand will have the throw.

YELLOW CARD, NEW ZEALAND, CANE. The skipper takes a 10-minute break after a shoulder tackle into a Bok head.

TMO checking Sam Cane for foul play…

Boks running from inside their 22… Faf clears from the base of the maul, Boks up in pressure, New Zealand to run from just inside their half… no it's a high kick, the Boks are controlling the ball… but Mostert driving forward loses the ball and it's a New Zealand scrum on the Bok 22…

BRILLIANT! Eben Etzebeth steals the All Black lineout ball, the Boks kick upfield, New Zealand run at them but the Boks turn the ball over again!

Boks to feed the scrum, but the All Blacks are struggling to hold the Bok power. De Allende kicks to the wing but it rolls out for a New Zealand lineout.

New Zealand run the ball quick but the Boks are up pressing hard and Will Jordan knocks on… Springbok scrum!

PENALTY, SOUTH AFRICA, POLLARD! 3-9; Pollard's kick from 15m in from the lefthand touch near the All Black 10m scrapes over and it's a six-point lead again.

Boks drive forward into the All Black half and win a penalty.

PENALTY, NEW ZEALAND, MO'UNGA! 3-6; Richie Mo’unga nails his kick from 10m to the left of the poles and inside the Bok 22. Candy from babies!

CLOSE! All Blacks chip into the Bok tryline but it bounces right for Willemse who secures it, but the All Blacks will go for goal using their penalty advantage.

New Zealand win the lineout and ruck their way into the 22… 10m from the Bok line now and they have the penalty advantage…

New Zealand with a quick line out, putting pressure on the Boks, and Faf is penalised for taking man without the ball. New Zealand kick for touch into the Bok 22… but it's just short!

PENALTY, SOUTH AFRICA, POLLARD! 0-6'; Pollard from inside the 22 and 5m to the left of the posts slots the penalty, perhaps too close to the left hand upright, but it's three points!

… Bopks driving adn driving, now Kolbe trying to jink through the defence… but the ref blows for a penalty.

… Bopks driving adn driving, now Kolbe trying to jink through the defence… but the ref blows for a penalty.

Great play by the Boks and Willemse, a brillaint crossfield kick then grubber and forcing the All Blacks into touch. Boks scrum inside the 22… they're pushing for the 5m…

New Zealand kick to touch and the Boks win win the lineout, run the ball then kick for the 22… it's marked but the touch isn't found and the Boks pile onto the All Blacks.

New Zealand have the scrum for a Springbok knock-on and Deon Fourie will scrum for the first time since replacing Bongi Mbonambi.

Kolbe is getting some medical attention after landing heavily after contesting a high ball.

Boks running the line and testing the All Blacks, driving them back and pressing them hard in their 22… but New Zealand will escape with a penalty.

Boks kick forward, Kolbe follows up and nails a New Zealander, the ball is loose but New Zealand gather then kick…

Tragedy for the Boks as Mbonambi staggers off the pitch - the great Bok warrior's World Cup night is over!

PENALTY, SOUTH AFRICA, POLLARD! 0-3; Pollard snicks his kick from the left off the inside post, but it's over and the Boks are on the board.

YELLOW CARD, NEW ZEALAND, FRIZELL!. The New Zealander hits the yellow sin bin for deliberately rolling onto Mbonambi's leg.

The ref is referring the action to the TMO and New Zealand are in trouble…

Some grinding play from both sides in the opening two minutes, play stops with Mbonambi down suffering from a major leg injury and he's in real pain.

KICK-OFF! We're underway with the World Cup final from the Stade de France! It's New Zealand vs South Africa!

Our referee is Wayne Barnes from England, and he will be assisted by Karl Dickson of England and Matthew Carley of England. Our TMO is Tom Foley… and he's also from England.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Telea, 11 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.

We'll be live in just a few hours with all the action and drama of the final… but here are the teams once more for you to chew over. See you later for match 48 of the 2023 Rugby World Cup when the Haka rings through Stade de France…

The Springboks were up against it for 78 minutes in their semi-final against England, who led for almost the entire match through Farrell's boot. But it was a Pollard penalty with two minutes to go that secured an unforgettable and brutal 15-16 win for the Springboks to setup today's final against the All Blacks!

In the first semi-final, New Zealand clobbered Argentina 44-6 in something of an easy day out for the All Blacks.

In the quarter-finals, New Zealand knocked out favourites Ireland in a thrilling 24-28 win, with both sides running in three tries. South Africa battled hard in a brutal match against hosts France, which saw the reigning champs pull through by a single point to snatch a famous victory 28-29.

South Africa finished second in Pool B on 15 points, behind Ireland on 19 points.

South Africa followed up with a 76-0 rout of Romania, before going down 8-13 to Ireland in an epic clash at the Stade de France. They sealed their place in the knockout stage with a 49-18 win over Tonga.

South Africa started their campaign with a powerful 18-3 win over Scotland, then ranked 5th in the world.

New Zealand finished second in Pool A on 15 points, behind France on 18 points.

New Zealand quickly picked themselves up and handed Namibia a 71-3 defeat, after which they almost took 100 points off Italy, the final score reading 96-17. They ended their group commitments with a 73-0 win over Uruguay.

New Zealand took on France in the showcase opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France… only to suffer a 27-13 loss to the host nation.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Telea, 11 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.

Let's have a quick run-down of the squads.

South Africa have played 43 World Cup matches, won 36 and lost seven. Their points spread is 1512-533. Not too shabby, Nigel!

South Africa won their first World Cup (1995), their fourth (2007) and their seventh (2019). Inbetween they twice claimed third place and twice were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

South Africa are in their eighth World Cup and, incredibly, if they win the final they will own a 50% win ratio… four World Cup titles in eight tournaments. That's enough to make the All Blacks choke on their Wheeties.

New Zealand have played 62 World Cup matches, won 54 and lost eight. Their points spread is a mighty 2877-830. Yes… you gotto fear a nation like this!

But this is the World Cup, so let's break down their World Cup records. This is New Zealand's 10th World Cup. They have lifted the trophy three times (1987, 2011, 2015) and were losing finalists in 1995 to South Africa. They have claimed third place three times and fourth place once. Just once (2007, quarter-finals) have they failed to make the semi-finals.

The two teams have met 105 times over the years, New Zealand winning a phenomenal 62 times and South Africa just 39. The sides have ended all-square on four occasions.

The head-to-head stats are all in New Zealand's favour, but they do date back to the days of five kilogram boots and knee-length shorts, so… pinch of salt.

… unless both sides kick it to death, but that ain't gonna happen.

As things stand today in world Rugby, New Zealand are ranked 2nd in the world… but the Springboks are ranked NUMBER ONE (or Numero Uno, as our Italians friends say) in the world. You could not want a better World Cup final… and the two teams are both peaking magnificently. It's not the match of the year or the decade… this could be the greatest match of all time.

And there's much more at stake than just bragging rights and the engraved name on the William Webb-Ellis trophy… you see, rugby friends, today sees three-time World Cup winners New Zealand front up to three-time winners South Africa. Whoever wins will hold the title of four-time World Cup winner for at least another four years… and neither teams wants the other to get that lead on them!

This is the BIG day… it's the D-ciding match in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand, the mighty All Blacks, and their great rivals, South Africa, the reigning world champions! Cue the drums and the flashing lights: France is alive for hopefully the greatest rugby match of all time: New Zealand against South Africa…