Every Rugby World Cup final result from 1987 to 2023

Jared Wright 28 Oct 2023 9:20 PM

South Africa's Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup with team-mates following victory in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris.

It’s the pinnacle of international rugby, the Rugby World Cup final, where the victors are crowned world champions and hoist the William Webb Ellis Cup.

We witnessed the first of its kind in 1987 when David Kirk led the All Blacks to glory, defeating France 29-9 at Eden Park.

Since then, just three other nations have etched their names on rugby’s most prized possession and into the history books.

Rugby World Cup finals down the years

After New Zealand‘s success, their Trans-Tasman rivals were next in 1991 when they defeated tournament hosts England 12-6 at Twickenham.

Four years later, South Africa returned to the international stage in emphatic fashion as the Springboks united a nation, defeating the mighty All Blacks 15-12 after extra-time in front of 62,000 fans at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Australia would become the first nation to win two Rugby World Cups in 1999 when they hammered France 35-12 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Wallabies looked on track to notch up their third title and become the first team to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2003. However, it was not to be as Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to glory, securing a 20-17 win after extra-time in Sydney.

After winning the World Cup for the first time four years earlier, England came narrowly close to going back-to-back as they reached the finale of the 2007 tournament in France. However, the Springboks would claim their second World Cup title, defeating England 15-6 at the Stade de France.

The pressure was on the All Blacks in 2011 when New Zealand hosted the tournament and attempted to end their 24-year drought. They would not disappoint this time around as Richie McCaw led his side to World Cup glory, defeating France 8-7 at Eden Park.

After Australia and England failed to defend their titles, despite reaching the next tournament’s final, the All Blacks managed to retain the Webb Ellis Cup. They produced a stunning display at Twickenham to defeat Australia 34-17, becoming the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups and the first to win three overall.

They would not make it three in a row, however, as England would claim a historic semi-final victory in Japan four years. However, the final was a step too far for the Eddie Jones-led side as South Africa would equal the All Blacks’ tally of three titles, securing a comprehensive 32-12 victory in Yokohama.

South Africa then became the second team in the tournament’s history to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles as they defeated their old rivals, New Zealand, 12-11 in the 2023 final at the Stade de France in Paris.

Rugby World Cup final results

1987 – New Zealand 29-9 France
1991 – Australia 12-6 England
1995 – South Africa 15-12 New Zealand (after extra-time)
1999 – Australia 35-12 France
2003 – England 20-17 Australia (after extra-time)
2007 – South Africa 15-6 England
2011 – New Zealand 8-7 France
2015 – New Zealand 34-17 Australia
2019 – South Africa 32-12 England
2023 – South Africa 12-11 New Zealand