The All Blacks counted the cost of two late missed shots at goal, with Richie Mo’unga unable to slot a 58th-minute sideline conversion, and Jordie Barrett missing a penalty from just over halfway in the 73rd minute.
That late penalty was sparked by an intentional knock on from Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe, who was shown a yellow card and finished the match in tears, barely able to watch from the sideline.
It meant both teams had just 14 players on the field at full-time, after New Zealand skipper Cane had his yellow card upgraded to red by the television match official for a 27th-minute high shot on Jesse Kriel.
“They [the All Blacks] took us to the end, they took us to a dark place,” Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi, who was also shown a yellow card for a high shot just after half time that, despite deliberation from the referee, was not upgraded to a red card.
“It shows what kind of team they are, to fight with a man down from early in the game.
“Credit to my boys too for the fight. I am just grateful we could pull it off.
“We lost our hooker in the early part of the game and we had to adjust to that. They put a lot of pressure on our lineouts but somehow we found a way.
“People who are not from South Africa don’t understand what it means for our country.
“It is not just about the game. Our country goes through such a lot. We are just grateful that we can be here.
“I want to tell the people of South Africa ‘thank you so much’. This team just shows what you can do. As soon as we work together, all is possible, no matter in what sphere — in the field, in offices, it shows what we can do. I am grateful for this team, I am so proud of it.”
The All Blacks kept surging and scored the only try of the match through Beauden Barrett in the 58th minute, but Handre Pollard’s four first-half penalty goals were enough to see South Africa over the line.
“I thought the courage they showed out here tonight was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors,” Cane said.
“It’s tough.
“They [the Springboks] have been a fantastic team. They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have showed time and time again they have shown a way to win.”
The famous victory made it back-to-back titles for the Springboks, adding to their victories in 1995 and 2007.
That makes South Africa the first team to win four World Cup crowns, despite having missed the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991.
What a tournament.
Of course, from Australia’s perspective, it did not go to plan, and there will be more fallout from that abject disappointment for months to come.
But from an overall perspective, that was a tremendous World Cup.
South Africa are champions again, they were pushed all the way throughout the entire tournament by the challengers, but they are still number one.
Three one-point wins in three successive knockout matches.
Incredible.
KEY EVENT
Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis trophy!
13h ago
By Simon Smale
South Africa are still world champions!
The four-time winners.
The back-to-back champions, who have had to do it so tough throughout the entire tournament.
They lost a pool game against Ireland, but it didn’t concern them.
They were down for long periods against France. It didn’t concern them.
They were down for even longer against England. It didn’t concern them.
They had to battle against a brave All Blacks side for a brutal 80 minutes tonight.
It didn’t concern them.
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Jordie Barrett is inconsolable
Here’s the All Black skipper Sam Cane – the first man to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final.
“Extremely gutted and disappointed. First of all that the guys had to play with 14 men for the last 50-odd minutes.
“I thought the courage they showed out here tonight was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors.
“It’s tough.
“I’d like to say well done to South Africa. Back-to-back [champions], they have been a fantastic team.
“They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have showed time and time again they have shown a way to win.”
Ian Foster has been asked about his skipper as well.
“We will sort that of, it’s gut-wrenching for him.
“Frustrating for us.”