RUGBY -WORLD CUP- ROMPS : SOUTH AFRICA HONOURS

 

'' 2023 in Sports '' : The Final surprisingly delivers the familiar. South Africa prevailed at the Rugby World Cup, reversing recent fortunes.

As the championship match of the 2023 World Cup ticked into its last half minute, South Africa's Springboks, the defending champions, girded themselves for a brutal final stand.

Arrayed against them were New Zealand's iconic but troubled All Blacks, scrapping desperately for a victory that just weeks before few had expected would be possible.

A minor infringement forced a scrum - a mass wrestle for the ball - and gave the All Blacks an opportunity to overcome a 12-11 deficit. On the sideline, Cheslin Kolbe, a springbok sent off with a yellow card, pulled his jersey over his head in despair.

In the crowd, tears streamed down the face of a fan with a South African flag draped around his neck.

The next 30 seconds would determine whether the All Blacks or the Springboks would become the first team to win four men's world titles.

The scrum began, then collapsed. Seven seconds remained. The scrum reset. One Springbok snatched the ball and was inundated by grasping All Blacks.

The players fell in a writhing heap. The whistle blew. The game was over. The Springboks had won.

The World Students Society thanks Pete Mckenzie.