Rugby World Cup Final 2023

Stade de France, Saint-Denis, October 28


HEAD-TO-HEAD

N. Zealand 62
South Africa 39
Draws 4 

Recent meetings
2023 N. Zealand 7-35 	S. Africa 
2023 N. Zealand 35-20 	S. Africa

Sixth World Cup meeting is repeat of iconic 1995 final, which Springboks won 15-12

 
New Zealand

Coach
Ian Foster

Captain:
Sam Cane

WORLD CUP RECORD
W54 D0 L8

Appearances: 10 
Best finish: Winner (1987, 2011, 2015) 
2019 performance Semi-final

2023: Began campaign
with defeat to host nation France before emphatic wins resurrected title ambitions. Beat No.1 ranked Ireland en route to fifth final


South Africa

Coach
Jacques Nienaber

Captain
Siya Kolisi 

WORLD CUP RECORD
W41 D0 L8

Appearances: 8 
Best finish: Winner (1995, 2007, 2019)
2019 performance Winner


2023: Qualified from pool stage despite loss to Ireland. Progressed to fourth final after two tight encounters secured one-point wins over France and England


Will Jordan
Most tries in 2023 tournament (8)


ROAD TO FINAL

L France 	13-27	Match 1	W Scotland 18-3
W Namibia	71-3	Match 2 W Romania 76-0
W Italy 	96-17 	Match 3 L Ireland 8-13
W Uruguay 	73-0	Match 4 W Tonga 49-18
W Ireland 	28-24	QF 	W France 29-28
W Argentina	44-6	SF 	W England 16-15


Handre Pollard
Fly half returns to starting line-up after semi-final impact

     
TEAM STATISTICS (6 matches)

Points for-against
325 77

48 	Tries 			27 
772 	Tackles completed 	765 
826 	Carries 		581
4102 	Metres gained 		2801 
53 	Offloads 		31
229 	Defenders beaten 	120
  
Points for-against
196 77


TOP POINTS SCORERS	0 Tries scored

5 Damian McKenzie	53 22 Manie Libbok
1 Richie Mo’unga 	50 21 Handre Pollard 
8 Will Jordan 		40 20 Cobus Reinach	4
5 L. Fainga’anuku 	25 15 Damian Willemse 	1
4 Aaron Smith 		20 15 Makazole Mapimpi	3


Stade de France
Also hosted 2007 final, when South Africa beat England


Webb Ellis Cup
Silver-gilt cup made in London in 1906 – inspired by design of cup crafted in 1740s


ROLL CALL OF CHAMPIONS
1987 New Zealand 	29-9 	France 
1991 Australia 		12-6 	England 
1995 South Africa 	15-12 	New Zealand 
1999 Australia 		35-12 	France 
2003 England 		20-17 	Australia
2007 South Africa	15-6 	England 
2011 New Zealand	8-7 	France
2015 New Zealand	34-17 	Australia
2019 South Africa	32-12 	England


Source: World Rugby 
Pictures: Getty
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