Paris | Defending champion South Africa kicked its way to a record fourth Rugby World Cup title by beating New Zealand 12-11 on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) after All Blacks captain Sam Cane was the first player to be red-carded in a final.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard scored all the points for a Springboks side, which repeated its 1995 success over New Zealand and denied the All Blacks their own chance to win a fourth title in their record fifth final.

AP