2019 Rugby World Cup final
The 2019 Rugby World Cup final was the championship match of the tournament's ninth edition, contested on 2 November 2019 at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, between England and South Africa, with the Springboks securing a 32–12 victory to win their third title and equal New Zealand's then-record of three.[1][2] The game, attended by 70,103 spectators, featured South Africa's dominant forward play and opportunistic backline attacks, highlighted by tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, alongside 22 points from fly-half Handré Pollard's boot, who was named man of the match.[2][1] England, with hopes buoyed by their semi-final upset over New Zealand, managed only 12 points via four penalties from Owen Farrell but struggled with early injuries and scrum pressure, marking their second final defeat.[1][2] South Africa's triumph, under captain Siya Kolisi—the first black player to lead the Springboks—came after a tournament journey that included a shock pool-stage loss to New Zealand, making them the first team to win the World Cup despite dropping a group match.[1][2] The final capped a groundbreaking edition hosted in Asia for the first time, with Japan welcoming over 1.84 million ticket sales across the event and fostering unprecedented global viewership of 857 million cumulative audience.[3] Key moments included England's early penalty lead erased by Pollard's accurate kicking, a controversial non-call on a potential England try, and South Africa's second-half surge that sealed the Webb Ellis Cup.[2][1] The match underscored rugby's evolving physicality and tactical depth, with South Africa's victory symbolizing national unity post-apartheid and inspiring a new generation in the sport.[1]Background
Tournament context
The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the ninth edition of the men's international rugby union championship, held across Japan from 20 September to 2 November 2019.[4] It marked the first time the tournament was hosted in Asia, with matches played in 12 venues nationwide, aiming to expand the sport's global footprint beyond its traditional strongholds in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.[5] The event drew a record audience, surpassing 857 million viewers worldwide, and generated nearly £4.3 billion in economic output for the host nation, underscoring its role in promoting rugby in emerging markets.[5][6] The tournament featured 20 national teams divided into four pools of five, with each team playing the others in their pool once, totaling 40 pool-stage matches.[7] The top two teams from each pool advanced to the knockout phase, which included quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final on 2 November.[8] Qualification for the event began during the 2015 tournament, where the top three teams from each pool—12 nations in total—automatically secured spots, joined by host Japan and seven additional teams determined through regional playoffs from 2016 to 2018.[9] These playoffs involved over 100 matches across six regions, emphasizing competitive balance and opportunities for non-traditional powers.[10] Japan's hosting carried profound historical significance, as it sought to cultivate rugby's growth in Asia and diversify the sport's global appeal, contrasting with the dominance of established nations.[11] The previous edition in 2015, hosted by England, had highlighted the sport's competitiveness, culminating in New Zealand's 34-17 victory over Australia in the final to claim back-to-back titles.[12] The 2019 tournament amplified themes of underdog triumphs, exemplified by host Japan's spirited performances, alongside the physical intensity characteristic of Southern Hemisphere teams like South Africa and New Zealand, which often set the standard for tactical depth and resilience.[13] This edition reinforced rugby's evolution toward inclusivity while maintaining the high-stakes rivalries that define its prestige.[14]Venue and organization
The International Stadium Yokohama, commonly known as Nissan Stadium, hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup final on 2 November 2019. Situated in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, the venue boasts a capacity of 72,327 and opened in March 1998. It had previously served as a key site for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosting multiple matches including the final between Brazil and Germany.[15][16][17] The event's organization fell under the oversight of Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), World Rugby's commercial entity, in partnership with the Japan Rugby Football Union and local host organizers. Ticketing for the final sold out rapidly, drawing an attendance of 70,103, which set a record for the tournament. Security protocols were robust, incorporating lessons from preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, such as increased personnel and surveillance to manage large crowds in a neutral setting after Japan's quarter-final exit.[3][18][3] Global broadcast coverage was handled by World Rugby's network of partners, including ITV in the United Kingdom and SuperSport in South Africa, reaching an estimated 857 million cumulative audience across the tournament. Production was led by host broadcaster International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS), employing a crew of nearly 650 professionals to deliver high-definition feeds and multi-angle coverage. Ceremonial elements incorporated traditional Japanese performances, blending cultural heritage with the international spectacle.[5][19][20] Match-day conditions in Yokohama featured clear skies and a comfortable temperature of 18°C, with light winds, promoting expansive play and minimal disruptions from the elements.[21]Route to the final
England
England entered the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Pool C, where they demonstrated commanding form by securing victories in their three played matches and topping the group. They began with a 35–3 win over Tonga on 22 September at Sapporo Dome, scoring five tries through Jack Nowell (two), Ben Youngs, Joe Launchbury, and Jonny May, while restricting Tonga to a single penalty. Four days later, on 26 September at Kobe Misaki Stadium, England overwhelmed the United States 45–7, notching seven tries via Henry Slade, Tom Curry, Joe Cokanasiga (two), Ben Te'o, Ben Youngs, and Courtney Lawes, showcasing their expansive attacking play.[22] England secured their quarter-final spot with a 39–10 bonus-point victory over Argentina on 5 October at Tokyo Stadium, scoring six tries through Jonny May, Elliot Daly, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jack Nowell, and Luke Cowan-Dickie, with Owen Farrell adding conversions and penalties.[23] Their final pool match against France on 12 October was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis, resulting in a 0–0 draw, but England topped Pool C based on prior results and bonus points. In the knockout stages, England continued their momentum with a dominant 40–16 quarter-final victory over Australia on 19 October at Oita Stadium, emphasizing powerful forward play that yielded four tries—two from Jonny May, plus efforts from Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson—while Farrell contributed 20 points through penalties and conversions.[24] The semi-final on 26 October at International Stadium Yokohama saw England edge New Zealand 19–7 in a tense, physical encounter, with tries from Sam Underhill and Manu Tuilagi proving decisive, alongside Farrell's accurate goalkicking; this resilient performance, marked by a stout defensive effort, propelled them to the final as favorites. Throughout their route to the final, England scored 178 points and 24 tries across five matches (four played and one cancelled), reflecting their high-tempo offensive output, though their disciplinary record in pool matches was clean regarding yellow cards issued on the field.[25] Under coach Eddie Jones, the team evolved tactically with a strong emphasis on multifaceted attack, blending forward dominance and backline creativity to outscore opponents consistently.[26] Fitness concerns surrounded key players like Manu Tuilagi, who had battled recurring injuries including a groin issue earlier in the year but returned to impactful form in the knockout rounds.[27] Standout contributions came from lock Maro Itoje, whose lineout steals and breakdown work, particularly in the semi-final where he earned player-of-the-match honors, anchored England's set-piece superiority. England's journey built steadily from assured pool-stage dominance—highlighted by surprise attacking flair against Argentina—to gritty resilience in the semi-final, transforming early momentum into a cohesive unit positioned as tournament frontrunners entering the decider.South Africa
South Africa began their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign in Pool B with a narrow 23-13 defeat to New Zealand on 21 September at International Stadium Yokohama, putting their progression at risk after conceding three tries in a physical contest dominated by the All Blacks' early momentum.[28] Despite the loss, the Springboks rebounded emphatically, securing a 57-3 victory over Namibia on 28 September at Toyota Stadium, where they scored nine tries through a dominant forward display led by hooker Bongi Mbonambi's brace.[29] This was followed by a commanding 49-3 win against Italy on 4 October at City of Shizuoka Stadium, with wing Cheslin Kolbe crossing twice in a match that highlighted South Africa's superior physicality and backline speed.[30] They concluded the pool stage with a 66-7 rout of Canada on 8 October at Kobe Misaki Stadium, where substitute scrum-half Cobus Reinach claimed a hat-trick in just 11 minutes, ensuring advancement as runners-up behind New Zealand with a pool points differential of +149.[31] In the quarter-finals, South Africa faced hosts Japan on 20 October at Tokyo Stadium in a rematch of their shock 2015 defeat, exacting revenge with a 26-3 triumph through wing Makazole Mapimpi's two tries and fly-half Handré Pollard's precise kicking, showcasing a gritty defensive effort that limited Japan's attacking flair.[32] The semi-final against Wales on 27 October at International Stadium Yokohama proved even more tense, with South Africa edging a 19-16 victory courtesy of Damian de Allende's decisive try and Pollard's three penalties; the match's turning point came from a controversial box kick by Faf de Klerk, which Mapimpi gathered for a try amid questions over a potential knock-on.[33] This gritty progression underscored South Africa's transformation from near-elimination after the opening loss to semi-final resilience, defying pre-tournament expectations where they ranked behind favorites like New Zealand and England. Throughout the tournament, South Africa's success hinged on coach Rassie Erasmus' tactical evolution, particularly the "bomb squad" bench strategy—a 6-2 split favoring powerful forwards like Steven Kitshoff, Franco Mostert, and RG Snyman to maintain physical dominance in the latter stages of matches.[34] Overcoming early setbacks, including injuries that prompted flanker Francois Louw's recall from international retirement, the team boasted key statistics reflecting their robust style: a tournament-high 818 tackles made, emphasizing defensive solidity, and exceptional set-piece efficiency with 98.6% lineout retention (68/69 throws completed).[35][36] Captain Siya Kolisi provided inspirational leadership, embodying national unity as the first black Springbok skipper and galvanizing the squad through his on-field tenacity and off-field symbolism amid South Africa's social challenges.[33]Pre-match build-up
Team preparations and squads
England head coach Eddie Jones named an unchanged starting XV for the final, the same lineup that defeated New Zealand in the semi-final, emphasizing continuity and familiarity after a rigorous training week in the Tokyo area. The team trained at an out-of-town base near Tokyo Stadium, focusing on high-intensity sessions to simulate match conditions despite challenges like nearby airport noise preventing drone footage reviews. Jones opted for a forward-heavy bench strategy influenced by South Africa's "bomb squad" approach, with five replacements among the eight to maintain physical dominance in the latter stages. Scrum-half Ben Spencer replaced the injured Willi Heinz on the bench, marking Spencer's first World Cup appearance.| Position | Starting XV |
|---|---|
| Full-back | Elliot Daly |
| Wing | Anthony Watson |
| Centre | Manu Tuilagi |
| Centre (c) | Owen Farrell |
| Wing | Jonny May |
| Fly-half | George Ford |
| Scrum-half | Ben Youngs |
| Loose-head prop | Mako Vunipola |
| Hooker | Jamie George |
| Tight-head prop | Kyle Sinckler |
| Lock | Maro Itoje |
| Lock | George Kruis |
| Flanker | Tom Curry |
| Flanker | Sam Underhill |
| Number 8 | Billy Vunipola |
| Position | Starting XV |
|---|---|
| Full-back | Willie le Roux |
| Wing | Cheslin Kolbe |
| Centre | Lukhanyo Am |
| Centre | Damian de Allende |
| Wing | Makazole Mapimpi |
| Fly-half | Handré Pollard |
| Scrum-half | Faf de Klerk |
| Loose-head prop | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Hooker | Malcolm Marx |
| Tight-head prop | Frans Malherbe |
| Lock | Eben Etzebeth |
| Lock | Lood de Jager |
| Flanker (c) | Siya Kolisi |
| Flanker | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| Number 8 | Duane Vermeulen |