South Africa have retained their Rugby World Cup trophy, overcoming a brilliant fourteen-man, New Zealand 12-11 in Paris to claim the silverware at the Stade de France.

In a clash of titans, South Africa drew first blood on the scoreboard, a third minute yellow card for Shannon Frizzell for a bad tackle on hooker, Mbongeni Mbonambi, forcing him and Frizzell both to the sidelines, the latter to return.

Further punishment was inflicted by a penalty which Handre Pollard drilled over, the fly-half making it 6-0 ten minutes later as the Springboks went all out, unable though to cross the whitewash.

Restored to their full complement, New Zealand finally enjoyed some sustained possession, Richie Mo’unga popping a penalty over to halve the deficit.

Pollard split the posts successfully for a third time as the six-point gap was restored, South Africa game-managing well, ominous for Ian Foster’s side given the bomb squad of forwards on the bench.

Set piece malfunctions were also hindering Foster’s men, an attacking lineout overthrown in the twenty-fifth minute encapsulating their unsettled start.

More indiscipline haunted the All Blacks as captain, Sam Cane, became their second flanker to be banished to the naughty step, yellow carded for a high tackle on centre, Jesse Kriel.

Moments later, Cane’s nightmare became reality as the skipper saw his yellow upgraded to a red card, Pollard rubbing salt in the wounds with another three points from the boot.

Knowing they, ideally, needed the next score to get a foothold, centre, Reiko Ioane went agonisingly close to getting in the corner, denied only by a fine last-gasp tackle by winger, Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Mo’unga slotted the resultant penalty, and they were back within try-scoring range.

South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, ignited the second half with a lightning break that was repelled.

Lee-Arendse then threatened at the other end, almost getting into the corner, only for the touchline to close in on him.

Then, a switch as Kolisi was sin-binned for a head-to-head, possible salvation for the fourteen men of New Zealand?

Scrum half, Aaron Smith, thought he had scored in the corner after an electric Mo’unga break carved the defence open, referee, Wayne Barnes though spotting a forward pass, a potentially game-changing score correctly erased.

Eventually, however the waves of pressure told, full-back, Beauden Barrett brilliantly scooping up a low pass and scuttling over in the corner, Mo’unga’ conversion shanked wide but the All Blacks back within one, nail-biting point, entering the final quarter of action, the Parisian crowd fully engaged.

Seven minutes from the end, Cheslin Kolbe saw yellow for a deliberate interception, Jordie Barrett took on the kick but drifted it just wide, as emotions seesawed on and off the pitch.

Desperate to clinch it, Pollard saw a drop goal attempt charged down as the All Blacks were pinned in, forced to travel the distance up field to try and get an oh-so-precious score to steal ahead.

So, South Africa make it successive tournament wins, an epic encounter full of ferocity to round off a fantastic tournament that will leave the All Blacks reeling and the Springboks world champions once again.

England won the Rugby World Cup third place playoff with a 26-23 victory in an enthralling encounter against Argentina that was full of passion and competitiveness.

Michael Cheika led Argentina in his final outing for the Pumas, while Steve Borthwick’s tenure of England seems to finally be clicking into gear. 

It was a game of immense physicality and intensity with the contest arguably the most competitive third place playoff in the competitions recent history. 

England’s early kicking game provided Tom Curry with a chance to secure a penalty jackal and Owen Farrell stepped up to slot the three-pointer. 

Moments later Englands’ early start continued to be rewarded as Ben Earl powered over hitting an excellent line after Theo Dan’s strong carry.

Farrell enhanced England’s lead with a second penalty and despite Argentina enjoying a purple patch of their own in possession and territory, Steve Borthwick’s side. 

Emiliano Boffelli got Argentina on the board with a chip shot but his effort was cancelled out by another penalty from England’s skipper with the returning Sam Underhill on his first appearance of the World Cup, proving deadly in collisions. 

It was game on before half time as Tomas Cubelli crossed after a scintillating break from the Argentinian backline. 

There was an element of controversy in the move as looked like it included a forward pass but the officials didn’t look at it. 

Gloucester fly-half Santiago Carreras evaded tackles as he danced his way through the England defence to wipe out the England lead and overturn the deficit after the interval. 

One of the players that missed his tackle on Carreras was hooker Dan but off the restart the Saracen charged down Carreras’ kick and grounded to restore England’s lead.

Boffelli reduced the deficit to three points but after England’s replacement props earned a penalty, Farrell continued his 100 per cent accuracy off the tee. 

However, at the other end George Ford was ruled offside and Boffelli continued the kicking dual.

Argentina centurion Nicolas Sanchez missed a routine shot at goal and despite the Pumas continuing to push forward the England defence stood tall with Ollie Lawrence making a vital tackle.