1-point wonders South Africa take close calls to a new level in record Rugby World Cup triumph

BY GERALD IMRAY

Cheslin Kolbe was hunched over on a chair on the sidelines, his head buried deep inside his green and gold jersey for the moment he and South Africa became back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners and history-makers.

The pocket-rocket wing – yellow-carded late on – couldn’t bear to watch the last, excruciating minutes of the final at Stade de France against New Zealand as the Springboks clung on to win by a point, just as they did against host France in the quarterfinals, and again against England in the semifinals.

Three points over the course of three games added up to that golden moment and South Africa clinching a record fourth Rugby World Cup ahead of the All Blacks.

The Boks took close calls and heart-stopping finishes to a new level at this World Cup, though.

“I guess as a team we like drama,” Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du