How it unfolded
In front of 80,065 fans in Paris, South Africa played its third consecutive one-point knockout match, following a 29-28 quarterfinal win over France and a 16-15 semifinal win over England. In the 27th minute, New Zealand captain Sam Cane collided shoulder-first with the head of Jesse Kriel and was shown a yellow card, later upgraded to red after a bunker review — the first sending-off ever in a World Cup final. South Africa also briefly played a man down after Siya Kolisi received a yellow card for a high tackle in the second half. South Africa failed to score a single try all match; Manie Libbok kicked one early penalty, and André Esterhuizen, called up as an injury replacement during the tournament, added the other three, for a total of 12 points. With 14 men, New Zealand scored a try through Beauden Barrett after sustained pressure near the try line in the second half, but Jordie Barrett's conversion attempt from near the touchline missed, and two Richie Mo'unga penalties left New Zealand at 11. In the final minutes New Zealand pressed through repeated phases, but South Africa won the ball back at the breakdown. South Africa became the first-ever four-time champion.
Why it still matters
The match that confirmed South Africa as the most successful team in World Cup history, and proof that a Bomb Squad approach loading the bench with forwards, built around territory and low-scoring rugby, works at the very highest level. At the same time, the final's first-ever red card pushed the debate over head-contact laws and the 20-minute red card trial into the center of world rugby.