Rugby World Cup: Ranking the 5 Greatest Finals of All Time Ahead of New Zealand South Africa Clash

• The Rugby World Cup has produced some memorable finals
• Joel Stransky starred for South Africa in their 15-12 win over New Zealand in an epic 1995 final
• Jonny Wilkinson led England to their first World Cup title in 2003, scoring the game-winning drop goal

We are just days away from the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, and excitement is definitely building for one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

New Zealand and South Africa will lock horns at Stade de France this Saturday, with both teams looking to become rugby’s first four-time world champion.

Sports Brief ranks the five greatest Rugby World Cup finals of all time ahead of the blockbuster showdown between the All Blacks and the Springboks.

Greatest Rugby World Cup Finals

1. 1995 (South Africa vs. New Zealand)

Topping the list is the 1995 final between South Africa and New Zealand.

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No tries were scored in this contest, with the fly-halves providing all of the points in the back-and-forth affair.

New Zealand’s Andrew Mehrtens and South Africa’s Joel Stransky traded penalties in the first half before the latter gave the Springboks a 9-6 lead with a drop goal in the 32nd minute.

The All Blacks forced extra time after Mehrtens tied things up with a penalty in the 55th minute.

New Zealand grabbed a 12-9 lead through another Mehrtens penalty, but South Africa answered right back with a Stransky penalty in the extra period.

The Springboks struck the final blow with Stransky’s drop goal securing the 15-12 win for the hosts, per News24.

2. 2003 (England vs. Australia)

The 2003 final between England and Australia lived up to the hype. The Wallabies took an early 5-0 lead following a try by Lote Tuqiri in the sixth minute.

The English answered right back, scoring 14 unanswered points to build a 14-5 lead at the break, per The Guardian.

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Australia responded, with Elton Flatley scoring three penalties in the second half to tie the match at 14-14 and send the final into extra time.

Jonny Wilkinson and Flatley traded penalties during that period before the former sealed England’s first Rugby World Cup triumph with a drop goal in the last minute of the match.

3. 2011 (New Zealand vs. France)

The 2011 final between New Zealand and France was a low-scoring affair, but it was a match that provided plenty of drama.

The All Blacks opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a try by prop Tony Woodcock.

New Zealand extended their lead to 8-0 in the second half via a penalty by fourth-choice fly-half Stephen Donald.

France answered right back, scoring a try a minute later through captain Thierry Dusautoir. François Trinh-Duc scored the ensuing conversion to cut New Zealand’s lead to one point.

The French tried to break down the All Blacks’ defence and take the lead in the closing minutes but were unable to do so as New Zealand held on for a thrilling 8-7 victory.

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4. 2015 (New Zealand vs. Australia)

The All Blacks made history in the 2015 final, becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles in the Rugby World Cup.

They did it in style as well, crushing Australia 34-17 at Twickenham. Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ma'a Nonu, and Beauden Barrett each scored a try for New Zealand, who went unbeaten in the tournament.

Dan Carter ended his World Cup career with another incredible performance, recording four penalties, two conversions, and one drop goal against the Wallabies.

5. 1987 (New Zealand vs. France)

The first-ever World Cup final was a high-scoring affair, with the All Blacks recording a convincing 29-9 victory over the French.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute through a drop goal by Grant Fox. Michael Jones extended the All Blacks’ lead to 9-0 following a try by Michael Jones and a conversion by Fox.

France trimmed the deficit to 9-3 at the start of the second half following a penalty by Didier Camberabero.

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That was the closest the French got to New Zealand as the All Blacks scored 20 unanswered points to seal their first-ever World Cup win.

New Zealand vs. South Africa betting preview

Sports Brief recently previewed the upcoming match between New Zealand and South Africa.

The All Blacks and the Springboks recorded contrasting victories in the semis to set up a mouth-watering final.

New Zealand have been installed as slight favourites over South Africa in the grand finale.