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| Reuters |
A record fourth Rugby World Cup showed South Africa's dogged determination, which saw the team dig deep at critical moments.
Few sides have had as bruising a route to World Cup success as the Springboks in this tournament, playing against each of the other top six ranked nations on their way to the podium.
That road, culminating in a 12-11 win over traditional foes New Zealand in Saturday's final at the Stade de France in Paris, but the Boks' tenacity took them over the line when it counted.
They edged three successive knockout stage matches by a single point to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
The team talked of a responsibility to provide some distraction for their beleaguered South Africa, which is struggling in an economic downturn with heavy unemployment, crime and corruption.
But while that had its place in motivating success, a full-hearted approach on the field ultimately gave them the edge.
