When Charles Monro returned home in 1870 after studying at Christ’s College in Finchley, England, he could not have imagined that the oval ball tucked away in his bag would become New Zealand’s most influential global ambassador. Since then, the land of the long white cloud, and in particular the silver fern team, has captivated the world with rugby excellence, placing a small nation of about five million people on the international map. The team Mandela once leaned on to avert a civil war, alter history, and unite a nation stepped onto the Paris stage this evening. Two teams that reach beyond the sport itself. All Blacks and Springboks. The final of finals.
But these teams also embody two rival schools of rugby: yin and yang, physical power versus deft skill, hard charging versus elusive dodges. A late rain shower added an unpredictable edge to the duel. South Africa’s game plan leaned toward pressure, using short kicks into the penalty area. South Africa began with intensity, demanding control of the scoreboard. And the drama began to unfold… within three minutes a brutal collision left a referee’s whistle and a stoppage as Frizell drove into Mbonambi and the resulting clash forced a knee to the ground. This created a problem for the Springboks, already dealing with an injury to starter Malcolm Marx. Yet the South Africans kept pushing, with Pollard converting two attempts, including one from Mounga, to edge ahead 6-3.
From Red to Cane
Bokke tightened every facet of their game, pressing relentlessly and contesting every ruck, every breakdown. The All Blacks found themselves stripped of possession for long stretches, unable to mount a sustained threat for half an hour. A moment of tension resembled a game within a game, as Cane found himself involved in a risky clash that earned a yellow card for high contact. The moment illustrated the brutal nature of a test between South Africa and New Zealand, a contest where physicality defines outcomes. South Africa’s probing play left the All Blacks frustrated while New Zealand remained within reach at halftime, still trailing 6-12.
Returning from the halftime locker room, the All Blacks looked renewed. Kolisi, the South African captain, drew a yellow card for another tense hit in a tackle. New Zealand found rhythm through disciplined play, pinning the Springboks deep inside their own half and creating opportunities for two tries. One score was canceled by an earlier advantage, while the second, sparked by a clever move from Telea, set up a Beauden Barrett try (11-12) with Kolisi still on the field. Yet the turnaround did not fully materialize…
Every moment in this final carried weight, every decision counted. New Zealand faced a tougher opponent who seemed to draw renewed vigor as the match wore on, aided by a seven-forward pack that pressured the Kiwis’ line. Rain paused the contest briefly, and then the heroes emerged: Kolbe, Barrett, Mounga among others. While the battle raged on, the true champions showed their mettle in support roles too. Whitelock and Retallick provided leadership, Scott Barrett joined as a third forward to reinforce the effort, and Jordi Barrett contributed crucial touches on the wing.
The finale hinged on a single, decisive moment. A tiny mistake could decide a historic outcome. The All Blacks responded with a sudden surge that prompted Kolbe to leave the field after a minor collision, reducing the match to ten minutes of even numbers, then fourteen against fourteen. Jordie Barrett’s late attempt went wide, keeping the score close as the tension built. South Africa searched for a late breakthrough, trying to emulate past glory, while New Zealand pursued a more expansive path to victory.
The final seconds unfolded with the ball in motion on the New Zealand side of the field. Time ticked away in measured phases toward a historic triumph in rugby history. Kolbe’s emotions spilled to the sidelines as he faced the sin bin, while South Africa fought valiantly and refused to yield. In the end, New Zealand emerged victorious, earning a hard-fought victory against a team that could beat any opponent on the day. The story of rugby lore was written on the field: the undercurrent of struggle, the weight of history, and a remarkable performance that reaffirmed the All Blacks’ status. The team Mandela and his successors believed could halt conflict had achieved a triumph that echoed beyond sport. Glory to the All Blacks, and respect to South Africa.