South Africa defeated New Zealand to win their fourth Rugby World Cup

(Reuters) — South Africa beat New Zealand 12-11 to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times this Saturday after the All Blacks went out with 14 men before half an hour in the final in Stade de France.

New Zealand captain Sam Kane, the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final, was red-carded for a high tackle despite losing Hooker Bongi Mbonambi with a knee injury three minutes from time as the Springboks led 12-3.

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Handre Pollard kicked four penalties to secure Beauton Barrett’s try and Richie Mounga’s six points did not prevent South Africa from maintaining their unbeaten run at the finals, with the Springboks’ third straight one-point win at the 2023 World Cup.

Jordy Barrett had a chance to score the winning penalty seven minutes later when Cheslin Kolbe was penalized for a deliberate tackle, but his effort went wide and South Africa celebrated their second victory over the All Blacks in a final since his triumph in 1995. .

(Reporting by Julien Predot; Editing in Spanish by Ricardo Figueroa)