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<\/p>\nThe 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) final was played out in Yokohama.<\/p>\n
A repeat of 2007, England was out for revenge while South Africa looked to remind England of it with another final win.<\/p>\n
Both teams were fully deserving of reaching the final, with England being seen as the favourites.<\/p>\n
Handre Pollard kicked off his final with a missed kick from afar.<\/p>\n
Kyle Sinckler went down, suffering a shoulder injury. The tighthead was replaced by Dan Coles.<\/p>\n
South Africa dominated the early stages and were rewarded for it when Pollard scored with his second team.<\/p>\n
A kicking game ensued with both teams managing to gain a lot of ground. England came closest to a try but failed to move further than the opposition\u2019s 22.<\/p>\n
Injuries piled up for the South Africans, with Mbonambi pulled off for a head assessment and lock, Lood de Jager, forced off with a dislocated shoulder. Malcolm Marx and Franco Mostert.<\/p>\n
They managed to win a penalty from the attacking play, with Farrell converting to level the game.<\/p>\n
Pollard added three soon after, following a South African scrum.<\/p>\n
England came close once again, being inches away at one point. Some outstanding South African defence pushed them away, but Faf de Klerk gave a penalty away when trying to do his bit.<\/p>\n
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Farrell brought it level again with a kick right under the posts.<\/p>\n
Pollard replied instantly yet again with an unbelievable kick from over 40 metres out, giving South Africa a 3-point lead again.<\/p>\n
Pollard added a fourth to give the South Africans a 12-6 lead at the break.<\/p>\n
Koch and Kitshoff replaced Malherbe and Mtawarira shortly after the restart.<\/p>\n
Pollard produced a monster kick from before the 50-metre line to bring the game\u2019s score to 15-6 \u2013 the final score in 2007\u2019s controversial final.<\/p>\n
Farrell added three from 40 metres to bring the game within a converted try.<\/p>\n
Farrell missed from a similar position moments later, providing South Africa with some fresh air.<\/p>\n
Pollard added another three to restore the nine-point lead at 18-9.<\/p>\n
Farrell added three more for the English to bring the game back within a converted try.<\/p>\n
Pollard failed to put one over from 59 metres out, showing he is human after all.<\/p>\n
South Africa got over the line after a beautiful play finished off by Mapimpi. The TMO awarded the try, but it seemed that a forward pass was made in the build-up.<\/p>\n
Pollard converted to put the Springboks 13 points up.<\/p>\n
Cheslin Kolbe wrapped it up with a beautiful run to finish the English off. Pollard added two to rub salt in the wound.<\/p>\n
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Pollard tried a drop-goal, but it ended terribly.<\/p>\n
South Africa won their third RWC after a dominant display. A fantastic world cup ends brilliantly, rounding off the perfect year. A fun fact \u2013 they\u2019re the first team to win the RWC after losing a group game.<\/p>\n
England peaked in the semi-final against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
A sterile display, courtesy of a fantastic Bok defence, was all they had to show after beating the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
They should be proud of how far they got in the tournament and should use them to drive forward and keep growing.<\/p>\n
A fantastic RWC finished with a one-sided display.<\/p>\n
An underwhelming end to an otherwise brilliant RWC, but finals have a tendency to disappoint in rugby.<\/p>\n
An excellent world cup, nonetheless.<\/p>\n