South Africa will revert to a tried-and-trusted halfback pairing and gamble on a late surge of forward power in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final in Paris, as they seek to overcome New Zealand and win back-to-back titles.

New Zealand tweaked their team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa with a single change but resisted any temptation to power up their bench to offset the forward-heavy list of replacements the Springboks named earlier.

It was less than two months ago that South Africa inflicted a record 35-7 defeat on New Zealand but the result of that test in London will have no bearing on Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, flanker Kwagga Smith said.

Henry Arundell and Freddie Steward will start on the wing for England in the bronze final against Argentina on Saturday, with Marcus Smith returning at fullback as coach Steve Borthwick made eight changes from the team beaten by South Africa in the semis.

Argentina has made three changes to their line-up for Rugby World Cup’s bronze medal match against England in Paris on Saturday, signalling their intent to try for a positive finish to the tournament in France.

The Rugby World Cup has lived up to its theme of the world in union.

The men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia will feature 24 teams after the World Rugby Council approved a historic reimagination of the competition format, window, and timing.

A new annual men’s 15s competition involving Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA will launch in 2024, reaffirming World Rugby’s commitment to increasing global competitiveness on the road to Rugby World Cups in Australia (2027) and the USA (2031).

World Rugby will review the allegation of racism levelled at South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi by England flanker Tom Curry during their World Cup semi-final in Paris, the governing body said in a statement.

Steve Borthwick says he will be using the Rugby World Cup’s Bronze Final as another opportunity for his players to experience playing in a big match, focussing on positivity after Saturday’s gut-wrenching semi-final defeat by South Africa.

South Africa will have the chance to defend their Rugby World Cup crown in next Saturday’s final against New Zealand after edging England 16-15 in a gripping second semi-final at Stade de France.

Winger Will Jordan scored a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand romped into the Rugby World Cup final with a dominant 44-6 victory over error-prone Argentina in semi-final at the Stade de France.