What an amazing story for South Africa.. congrats to all the players, staff and the country it is truly well deserved. Feel for the England lads as they have been the form team all tournament. And that’s it for RWC19
— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) November 2, 2019
World Cup final: South Africa stun England to ruin Eddie Jones' World Cup dream
South Africa has shocked England to win the William Webb Ellis trophy with a remarkable and physical performance in the World Cup final - in the process ending Eddie Jones' dream of coaching his first team to a victory.
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At a World Cup that was full of so many unexpected twists, how fitting it was that the granddaddy of them off all was saved for last.
English’s 32-12 annihilation by South Africa was Eddie Jones’ worst nightmare come true and will cut him to the bone because he deserved better for the way he has transformed the team.
But for long suffering Australian sports fans sick to death of seeing the Poms win all the trophies that were once ours, this was as almost as sweet as it gets.
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It was bad enough that Trevor Bayliss helped England win the Cricket World Cup this year so the thought of another Aussie helping the old enemy match Australia’s 1999 World Cup double would have been unbearable.
“We just struggled to get into the game, the effort of the players was outstanding but we just struggled to get on the front foot,” a devastated Jones said.
"I can't fault the preparation of players who have worked hard the entire World Cup, I think they played with a lot of pride and passion.
“We just weren't good enough and congratulations South Africa on an outstanding performance."
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All the talk about the southern hemisphere’s days of domination being over now look as accurate as the wild passes English halfback Ben Youngs threw over the sideline as the Poms panicked from the opening kickoff and let South Africa dictate terms.
After nine Rugby World Cups, the numbers tell the story. The southern hemisphere teams have won eight finals, the northern hemisphere just once.
And this was as comprehensive a flogging as any team has ever suffered in a final.
Not only did the Springboks score two unanswered tries from their electrifying wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe but their forwards smashed England’s scrum in a way that has never been seen before after prop Kyle Sinckler was knocked out cold in the first minute.
The cocky English thought they had it in the bag after beating the Wallabies and the All Blacks in successive weeks but were completely outplayed by a Springboks team on its own mission to create history.
Already the only southern hemisphere coach to lose a final after being in charge of the Wallabies team that was beaten by England in 2003, Jones earned himself another slice of unwanted history when he became the first coach to lose two finals while England joined France as the only countries to lose three finals.
The Springboks may not play the most attractive brand of rugby but it’s a proven blueprint for success and they have now won the World Cup three times - matching New Zealand’s record - and are 3-0 in finals.
"There are so many good things in South Africa but always in the past, we seem to look at all the bad things,” South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said.
“We just decided, listen let's stand together and work really hard and play well on the field and then from that all the other things will come out later and I think that's what we did and against that we won the World Cup, so that's great."
The Springboks’ first win in 1995, when Nelson Mandela famously wore Francois Pieenar’s No. 6 jersey as a symbol of black and white reconciliation, remains one of rugby’s poignant moments, but what South Africa achieved in Japan is perhaps even greater.
Not only did they become the first team to win the title after losing a pool match (they were beaten by New Zealand), but for the first time, the Webb Ellis trophy was presented to a black captain, something that was unimaginable in South Africa’s past.
Born into a world of poverty in a Port Elizabeth township, Siya Kolisi’s rise to the Springboks’ captaincy has made him an inspiration to millions in his homeland and his legacy will only grow after he received the sport’s greatest prize from Japan’s Crown Prince, capping an amazing tournament that promises to change the game forever.
"We have so many problems in our country, a team like this - we come from different backgrounds, different races - and we came together with one goal. I really hope we have done that for South Africa, to show that we can pull together if we want to achieve something,” Kolisi said.
"Since I have been alive I have never seen South Africa like this. With all the challenges we have, the coach said to us that we are not playing for ourselves any more, we are playing for the people back home - that is what we wanted to do today.”
Updates
Humble Jones concedes England struggles
A defeated England coach Eddie Jones has laid praise at the feet of the South Africans, admitting his team simply couldn't get into the game.
"We just struggled to get into the game. We struggled to get on the front foot," Jones said.
"I can't fault the preparation of the players. They've worked hard the entire World Cup and I think they've played with a lot of pride and passion, but we just weren't good enough today.
"Congratulations to South Africa on an outstanding performance."
That winning feeling….
Incredible scenes as @Springboks bench goes wild after winning Rugby World Cup 2019#ENGvRSA #RWC2019 #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/zU3ssS68Rt
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
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1995. 2007. 2019.
South Africa are world champions for a third time and remain undefeated in World Cup finals.
They join New Zealand on three World Cup triumphs, and they truly are the kings of the World Cup final upset.
They prevail 32-12 on the back of tries to wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as the precision boot of Handre Pollard.
Owen Farrell concedes England had a poor start which cruelled their hopes in the final – but remains "massively proud of this team".
ALL OVER! SOUTH AFRICA ARE WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS
1995. 2007. 2019.
South Africa are world champions for a third time and remain undefeated in World Cup finals.
They join New Zealand on three World Cup triumphs, and they truly are the kings of the World Cup final upset.
They prevail 32-12 on the back of tries to wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as the precision boot of Handre Pollard.
Owen Farrell concedes England had a poor start which cruelled their hopes in the final – but remains "massively proud of this team".
With 90 seconds to go, South Africa has their name engraved on the trophy for a third time – literally. It's already been done.
One more enormous scrum to come?
OPEN SEASON
THAT. WILL. DO IT!
A horror turnover from Henry Slade who spills the ball after contact… and the ball finds its way to the tiny Cheslin Kolbe out on the right wing.
The livewire winger – who missed last week's victory over Wales – immediately goes on the attack and steps inside one, inside two… and then sprints away from the chasing England defence.
What a brilliant solo effort. England's dreams are shredded and in five minutes South Africa will win a third World Cup!
TRYTIME!! Kolbe seals the Springboks World Cup win!
THAT. WILL. DO IT!
A horror turnover from Henry Slade who spills the ball after contact… and the ball finds its way to the tiny Cheslin Kolbe out on the right wing.
The livewire winger – who missed last week's victory over Wales – immediately goes on the attack and steps inside one, inside two… and then sprints away from the chasing England defence.
What a brilliant solo effort. England's dreams are shredded and in five minutes South Africa will win a third World Cup!
73' ENGLAND 12 - 25 SOUTH AFRICA
Eight minutes to go and South Africa kick out of danger. England need to attack now. They trail by 13 – needing two converted tries.
But it won't come on this drive, it's been turned over and the Boks again kick deep out of trouble.
England rattled and running out of time.
What a try!
South Africa go down the short side and Malcolm Marx feeds Mapimpi into a gap down the sideline.
The winger bursts clear and puts a kick in for Lukhanyo Am, who gets the perfect bounce – and he can score himself, but instead he flicks it back to his winger.
And Mapimpi scores, no trouble, for the converted try.
With 13 minutes remaining… South Africa lead 25-12. And it's a long way back for England now.
SOUTH AFRICA ARE OVER! Some brilliance from Mapimpi breaks the game open and that could seal the Cup for the @Springboks
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 2, 2019
🏴 12-25 🇿🇦 | #RWCFinal | #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/ZBid9dNWfK