South Africa’s Rugby World Cup win is a lesson in discipline

In the end, the tenth edition of the Rugby World Cup wasn’t decided by a high-risk selection strategy, a bold use of the bench or a freakish drop-goal with seconds to play. Instead, it was the oldest truism in rugby that won the day – keep your discipline.

South Africa are Rugby World Cup champions for a record fourth time, led by their talismanic captain Siya Kolisi in defeating the New Zealand All Blacks 12-11 at the Stade de France in Paris. Kolisi and his Springboks lived up to their promise to bring the cup home for an embattled nation, and that desire was crucial.