South Africa beat England to lift Rugby World Cup

South Africa have defeated England 32-12 to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan.

Tries by wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe and the goalkicking of Handre Pollard earned South Africa their third Rugby World Cup title on Saturday as the fly-half kicked 22 points to secure a 32-12 victory over an error-strewn England.

South Africa led 12-6 at half time through four Pollard penalties with Owen Farrell replying for an England team who had been overpowered in the scrum, having lost injured prop Kyle Sinckler after three minutes, and who committed a series of handling errors.

South Africa, playing with far more ambition than in their semi-final win over Wales, kept up the pressure in the second half as England struggled to build momentum and Pollard nudged them 18-12 ahead after an hour.

The Springboks then scored their first try in three World Cup finals when Mapimpi broke clear in the 66th minute, chipped ahead and collected the ball back from Lukhanyo Am, and recalled winger Kolbe then blasted through to put the gloss on a deserved win.

🗣 “I have never seen South Africa like this. We were playing for the people back home. We can achieve anything if we work together as one.”

Hear from @Springboks’s Siya Kolisi on what is not just a #RWCFinal win – It’s more than that 👏👏#RWC2019 #ENGvRSA #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/qgfv0STIlr

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019

After the final whistle, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi thanked all South Africans, from the people on the farms to those in the townships and on the streets.

“We can achieve anything if we work together as one,” said Kolisi, who last year became the first black player appointed as Springboks captain.

The significance of Kolisi leading the team to victory was not lost on the supporters who gathered at Johannesburg’s fan zones to watch the match.

“This win means a lot to us. This is the most amount of black players we have had in a World Cup squad. All the players in that squad deserve to be in the squad. They have united the whole country. Everyone is behind them. They have given us something to smile about,” a supporter told Al Jazeera.

Reporting from a fan zone in Johannesburg, Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, said the team’s supporters were “very excited”.

“They are thrilled to see the ‘Boks’ win. They believe their team has deserved the trophy. Celebrations will continue for long.”

The win also ensured the Springboks became the first team to lose a game and rebound to win the title, having lost their tournament-opening match last month to the two-time champion All Blacks of New Zealand in the pool stage.