Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ
Highlights available at
New Zealand
New Zealand
11 - 12
Full Time
South Africa
South Africa
Events
Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Ardie Savea bursts through to advance the New Zealand attack.

79'

This is dangerous for the defence as Dalton Papali'i bursts through to advance the New Zealand attack.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Pieter-Steph du Toit bursts through to advance the South Africa attack.

76'

The opposition have charged down Handre Pollard drop goal attempt!

75'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Damian McKenzie getting some game time.

74'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Richie Mo'unga being replaced.

74'

The touch judges have waved away the attempt by Jordie Barrett as they hook it left.

73'

South Africa decide to make a substitution, with Jasper Wiese getting some game time.

72'

South Africa decide to make a substitution, with Siya Kolisi being replaced.

72'
Yellow Card

Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) is shown a yellow card

72'

The drop goal is on its way from Cheslin Kolbe but it runs out gas over the last few metres, falling short.

70'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Dalton Papali'i getting some game time.

70'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Brodie Retallick being replaced.

70'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Anton Lienert-Brown getting some game time.

70'

New Zealand decide to make a substitution, with Will Jordan being replaced.

70'

South Africa make a substitution with Willie Le Roux coming on.

65'

South Africa make a substitution with Damian Willemse coming off.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Finlay Christie coming on.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Aaron Smith coming off.

65'

South Africa make a substitution with Trevor Nyakane coming on.

65'

South Africa make a substitution with Frans Malherbe coming off.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Tamaiti Williams coming on.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Ethan de Groot coming off.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Samisoni Taukei'aho coming on.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Codie Taylor coming off.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Nepo Laulala coming on.

65'

New Zealand make a substitution with Tyrel Lomax coming off.

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Cheslin Kolbe goes through the gap.

64'

Richie Mo'unga has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

58'

Kwagga Smith comes on for South Africa.

57'

Duane Vermeulen leaves the field.

57'

Jean Kleyn comes on for South Africa.

57'

Eben Etzebeth leaves the field.

57'
Try

A penetrating move by New Zealand results in a try for Beauden Barrett.

57'

What a run here by Beauden Barrett as they get over the gainline!

57'

Mark Tele'a played a key part in that try.

57'

Sam Whitelock comes on.

54'

Shannon Frizell comes off.

54'

Ox Nche comes on.

51'

Steven Kitshoff comes off.

51'

RG Snyman comes on.

51'

Franco Mostert comes off.

51'

What a run here by Codie Taylor as they get over the gainline!

50'

Mark Tele'a makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'
Yellow Card

Siya Kolisi (South Africa) is shown a yellow card

44'

Pieter-Steph du Toit makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

42'

Damian Willemse has an attempt on goal with a drop kick, but it falls well short.

41'

Fabulous play by South Africa has led to Siya Kolisi being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'
Penalty Goal

Richie Mo'unga has kicked a penalty goal.

37'

Fabulous play by New Zealand has led to Aaron Smith being able to wriggle through a gap.

36'
Penalty Goal

The South Africa supporters go wild as Handre Pollard successfully kicks the penalty goal.

33'

The drop goal is on its way from Damian Willemse but it runs out gas over the last few metres, falling short.

31'
Red Card

Sam Cane (New Zealand) is shown the red card

26'
Penalty Goal

Handre Pollard does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

18'
Penalty Goal

Richie Mo'unga does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

16'

A gap opened in the defence and Shannon Frizell took full advantage.

13'
Penalty Goal

Handre Pollard makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

12'

Deon Fourie comes on.

3'

Bongi Mbonambi comes off.

3'
Penalty Goal

Handre Pollard has kicked a penalty goal.

2'
Yellow Card

Shannon Frizell (New Zealand) is shown a yellow card

1'

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

0'
Load More

Match Details

New Zealand v South Africa

Rugby World Cup - Grand Final
Sun 29th October 2023, 03:00am
Stade de France

Points Flow Chart

South Africa win +1
New Zealand
South Africa
New Zealand
Time in lead
South Africa
0
Mins in lead
79
0%
% Of Game In Lead
99%
66%
Possession Last 10 min
34%
0
Points Last 10 min
0

Key Events

Full Time
Kolbe
72'
11 - 12
Barrett
11 - 12
57'
Kolisi
44'
6 - 12
Half Time
Mo'unga
6 - 12
37'
Pollard
33'
3 - 12
Cane
3 - 9
26'
Pollard
18'
3 - 9
Mo'unga
3 - 6
16'
Pollard
12'
0 - 6
Pollard
2'
0 - 3
Frizell
0 - 0
1'
Start

Win Probability

New Zealand
48%
Draw
0%
South Africa
52%
Maul-Lost by Jasper Wiese

Momentum

0'
HT
FT
New Zealand
South Africa

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored
1.3
8
Entries
Avg. Points Scored
1
3
Entries

Attack Profile

New Zealand
South Africa
More Less More

Defence Profile

New Zealand
South Africa
More Less More

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs
33%
25%
3-6 secs
41%
38%
6+ secs
22%
35%
115
Rucks Won
56

Last 5 Penalties

50'
52'
55'
67'
72'
New Zealand
South Africa

Other Fixtures

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free

Who Will Win?

New Zealand enter this clash with South Africa as slight favourites. However, this Rugby World Cup final really is anyone’s game.

The All Blacks have earned the ‘favourites’ label because they easily cruised past Argentina in their semi-final, while the Springboks edged past England by the skin of their teeth.

That said, both of these sides are in good form and have only lost one game during the tournament. Plus, both of these squads have won the Rugby World Cup three times before, meaning they both know how to handle the pressure on the biggest stage of them all.

Think you know which way New Zealand vs South Africa will go? Vote in our poll.

Head-to-Head

Amazingly, the All Blacks hold a winning record against every international team they’ve ever played. However, in the last five meetings between these two teams, South Africa have won three games while New Zealand have only won two. The Springboks have also won both of the last two games between the sides, including a comprehensive victory over the All Blacks just before the tournament began.

History tells us that the first try in New Zealand vs South Africa games is vital. This is because the team that has scored the first try has won the fixture 80% of the time!

Team Form

Both sides come into this game in fine form. However, while South Africa struggled to squeeze past a spirited England side in their semi-final, New Zealand demolished Argentina 44-6 and look as though they are peaking at just the right time.

Below our team form guide, you can see in-depth stats about how the two sides have performed in their last five games, including stats about the number of tries they’ve scored, their overall points difference and the number of times they’ve scored the first try. New Zealand have the edge in many of these categories, but it takes a brave person to bet against the Springboks.

Player Head-to-Head

Rugby World Cup finals are often decided by one moment of individual brilliance. After all, who can forget Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal in the 2003 final?

With this in mind, here’s how Richie Mo'unga and Manie Libbok have performed in recent games between the two countries. Could either of these fly-halves produce a moment of magic that could win the Rugby World Cup for their country?

Other Fixtures

The Rugby World Cup final is undoubtedly the pick of the action this weekend. But, before New Zealand vs South Africa kicks off, take a look at all of the recent fixtures and get a sense of how each side has been performing.

New Zealand vs South Africa 2023: Detailed Match Preview

On Saturday 28th October, 2023, New Zealand will face South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris.

This promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams that are at the peak of their powers. New Zealand enter the clash in fine form. Since they were defeated by France in the opening game of the tournament, they’ve been imperious and have won each game they’ve played at a canter. They even put 44 points past Argentina in their semi-final!

Meanwhile, South Africa, who are the reigning world champions, also come into this game playing some of their best rugby. Although they were pushed to the limit by England in their semi-final, the Springboks have been playing with a point to prove since they were defeated by Ireland in the pool stage.

This particular clash looks set to be one for the ages. After all, both teams are evenly matched and feature two colossal packs that won’t give ground to the other.

Whichever team wins will become the first country to win the Webb Ellis Cup four times - we can’t wait to see which captain is holding the trophy aloft on Saturday evening. Let us know what you think will happen in the comments.

When was the first New Zealand vs South Africa game? When was the first New Zealand vs South Africa game?

The first New Zealand vs South Africa game took place in 1921 at Carisbrook in Dunedin. New Zealand won this game 13-5.

Have New Zealand ever played against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup? Have New Zealand ever played against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup?

Yes. This will be the sixth time that New Zealand have faced South Africa at the Rugby World Cup.

So far, New Zealand have won three Rugby World Cup matches against South Africa, while the Springboks have won two. However, South Africa claimed victory in the most important of these matches: the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

Have South Africa ever beaten New Zealand? Have South Africa ever beaten New Zealand?

Yes. New Zealand and South Africa have faced each other in test matches 105 times since 1921. New Zealand have won 62 of these test matches, but South Africa have won 39. A further four have ended in a draw.

Related News

Opinion

There is precedent for lineal championships. The Ranfurly Shield in New Zealand domestic rugby has garnered enough interest to cre…

Daniel Gallan
25 Apr, 23:06

In a change to the norm, Ireland are set to play two Test fixtures in this year's Autumn Nations Series on a Friday night under li…

Ian Cameron
22 Apr, 20:31
Opinion

An AI model trained on enough games of professional rugby will find every weakness or vulnerability in every single player on the …

Ben Smith
22 Apr, 9:28
Opinion

The Nations Championship will bolster the in-between years of a Rugby World Cup, but there has been an irregular, unofficial world…

Ben Smith
11 Apr, 5:56
Search