English hearts were broken all over again as South Africa overpowered the Red Rose to win the Rugby World Cup.
In a repeat of the 2007 final, the imperious Springboks sailed to a 32-12 victory thanks to a flawless kicking performance from Handre Pollard and two sensational tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Chelsin Kolbe.
England were virtually unrecognisable from their semi-final victory over New Zealand as they paid the price for uncharacteristic sloppiness.
The pre-match favourites never truly recovered from the loss of prop Kyle Sinckler in the second minute after he was knocked unconscious, and South Africa dominated almost every scrum to slowly take the game away from England.
It was death by a thousand kicks as Pollard scored six penalties, with Owen Farrell responding four times to maintain a glimmer of hope for the Red Rose.
But despite their brutal approach for so much of the final, South Africa turned on the style with 14 minutes remaining as Mapimpi went over the line.
And the story of the match was captured by Kolbe’s late try, as South Africa’s defence brutalised England’s attack once again to win the ball, before the right wing showed too much quality and ended the game.
While England will ponder a third defeat in four World Cup finals, it’s a third triumph in three attempts for the Springboks and one which means so much.
Siya Kolisi, the country’s first ever black captain, lifts the trophy as the rugby continues to bring a nation together.
His men join the famous South Africa teams of 1995 and 2007 in writing their own special chapter in the country’s folk lore.
More to follow…
