Key quotes after South Africa’s 12-11 win over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday:
“The last few games were quite tough. Each one was a final, each one was one point. We’re quite happy with the win. I guess as a team we like drama.
“We’ve had a bit of drama over the last few years. I think it helped us a lot as a team to cope with the drama. It shows the resilience of the team. We’re honoured to be able to play for our country and to play for the Springboks.
“I know when we go home it will be a warm welcome for us. I know the whole 64 million South Africans are supporting us.”
– South Africa flanker and player of the match Pieter-Steph du Toit
“There is no way I can explain it in words. I want to give credit to the All Blacks, they took us to the end, to a dark place.
“It just shows what kind of team they are to fight with a man down from early in they game, they fought and put us under so much pressure. I’m just grateful we could pull it off.”
— South Africa captain Siya Kolisi
“Honestly people who are not from South Africa don’t understand what this means for our country. It’s not just about the game on the field. Our country goes through such a lot. We are the hope they have.
“We’re just grateful that we can be here and I want to tell the people of South Africa thank you so much. Children from a third world country who just fight over and over. This team shows what diversity can do for a team for our country as well. Together, all is possible.”
— Kolisi on the importance of the victory for South Africa as a country
“Obviously extremely gutted and disappointed. First of all, the fact that the boys had to play with 14 men for the last 50-odd minutes. I thought the courage that they showed out there was incredible. The whole team are absolute warriors.
“Look, it’s tough. I’d like to say well done to South Africa, back to back. They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have shown time and time again that they find a way to win, well done South Africa.”
— New Zealand skipper Sam Cane after he was sent off in the first half
“It was a real arm wrestle, both teams had their moments, I’m incredibly proud of the way we fought and to get within a whisker of pulling it off is heart-breaking.
“This group is very proud to be All Blacks, very proud to play for their country and have worked incredibly hard to get here.
“While I am so proud of what we did and how we worked we have to give it to South Africa, they are a quality team.
“They have had a few close victories in this tournament and are a different class. It’s special for them but it equally hurts for us. I can’t ask for much more than we did, we couldn’t put more out on the park.”
— New Zealand head coach Ian Foster
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