South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Rather than becoming the third All Blacks skipper after McCaw and David Kirk to lift the trophy, he instead became the first player sent off in a men’s Rugby World Cup final as his first-half high tackle on Jesse Kriel condemned him to watch the rest of the match in purgatory from the sidelines. open image in gallery New Zealand’s number eight Ardie Savea is tackled by South Africa’s fly-half Handre Pollard open image in gallery New Zealand's Sam Cane after being show a red card While all the pre-match attention focused on the Springboks’ decision to opt for the controversial 7-1 forwards-to-backs split on the bench, the fact they have spent most of this tournament with only one specialist hooker in the squad has largely been ignored. open image in gallery Beauden Barrett of New Zealand scores a try open image in gallery South Africa's Siya Kolisi in action Trailing 9-3 with three Handre Pollard penalties to Mo’unga’s one when their skipper departed, the All Blacks battled valiantly with 14 men but the score moved to 12-6 at the break with another penalty apiece traded before basic errors eventually became too much to overcome. open image in gallery South Africa players celebrate at the end of the Rugby World Cup final open image in gallery South Africa’s Jesse Kriel celebrates after winning the World Cup final A few minutes later, the All Blacks finally got that elusive score with Jordie Barrett’s long pass bouncing to Tele’a, who cut inside a defender and then popped the ball off the floor when tackled, allowing a supporting Beauden Barrett to scoop and dive over the line, becoming the first man to score two tries in World Cup finals after his 2015 effort.