New Zealand boast the best red-zone efficiency (an average of 3.89 points per entry into the opposition 22) at the World Cup, the most line-breaks (13.5 per game) and most carries over the gain-line (84.5 per game at a tournament-leading 61 per cent). They also have the second-best scrum success (94 per cent) and the best lineout success (98 per cent).
South Africa have conceded the third-fewest penalties (averaging 8.5 per match) and made the most dominant tackles (14.3 per match), led by second rower Eben Etzebeth and centre Damian de Allende with eight overall, second only to Tom Curry (England) in the tournament, while another second rower, Franco Mostert, missed none of his 19 tackles in the semifinal.
It comes as the 2007 World Cup-winning captain, John Smit, says fans from both New Zealand and South Africa were eyeing this potential final match-up.
“I think this is the World Cup final that both sets of fans will have prayed for and so we are getting a final that we always wanted against our old foe, the All Blacks,” Smit says.
“Why do we talk about this clash more than we talk about any other clash? Because of the respect between the two countries and because the All Blacks are the one team that beat us more than any other team.
Rugby World Cup kickoff time
In New Zealand time, the match starts at 8am on Sunday, October 29.
Where will the World Cup final be played?
Stade de France, Saint-Denis.
What are the TAB odds?
New Zealand are paying $1.67 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup and South Africa are at $2.10.
How to follow the Rugby World Cup final?
You can follow the live updates on nzherald.co.nz or listen to commentary: join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio, or catch the ACC on iHeartRadio or Hauraki.
Where to watch Rugby World Cup final
Eden Park will broadcast Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final on its 31x11-metre superscreen.
The home of rugby in New Zealand, Eden Park, is set to transform from a stadium and field into a hub for the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa.
Free admission is available for the action through Ticketmaster and fans will have the option of sitting on the field or finding a spot in the stand to watch the game. No chairs are allowed in order to protect the field.
“Eden Park is home to some of the most memorable moments in international rugby history,” Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said.
“In 1987, we hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup where Sir Michael Jones etched his name in the history books, scoring his debut try as an All Black.
“As well as hosting the 2011 tournament which saw the All Blacks victoriously hold up the Webb Ellis Trophy, I don’t think anyone will ever forget the 2022 World Cup final at Eden Park which saw the Black Ferns take their sixth world title when they defeated England.”
Rugby World Cup bronze final: Who is playing and when?
Argentina will take on England at Stade de France the day before the final, played at 8am on Saturday, October 28 (NZT).
Luke Kirkness is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He previously covered consumer affairs for the Herald and was an assistant news director in the Bay of Plenty. He won Student Journalist of the Year in 2019.
