Rugby World Cup 2019: Clinical Springboks, happy hosts, Irish de ja vu – the top Opta facts

South Africa were crowned champions at the end of an enthralling Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

The tournament in Japan proved a huge success, with packed-out venues and fervent support from a nation that has embraced the sport.

For their part, the hosts produced one of the great upsets by beating number-one ranked Ireland in the pool phase.

But it was the Springboks, having ended Japan’s run at the quarter-final stage, who lifted the trophy after thrashing England 32-12 in Yokohama.

Here, we take a look back at the top Opta facts from six memorable weeks.

100% – The @Springboks are the only side to have a 100% winning record in @rugbyworldcup finals, now winning each of their three appearances at this stage; only the All Blacks have lifted the Webb Ellis Cup as often as South Africa. Perfect.#RWCFinal #RWC2019 #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/1825nsCfCi

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) November 2, 2019

– South Africa are the only side to boast a 100 per cent win rate in Rugby World Cup finals, winning on each of their three such appearances.

– The Springboks scored two tries in the final against England, the first time they had ever crossed for a try in a Rugby World Cup final. They are still yet to concede one in the showpiece event.

– Japan reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, becoming the first Asian nation to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament. 

Dear Japan,

You’ve been awesome and a pleasure to watch 

Thanks for the memories #RWC2019 #JPNvRSA #WebbEllisCup #RWCTokyo pic.twitter.com/Z9kdz7ahZM

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 20, 2019

– Ireland suffered a seventh Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat. They have never made it past the last eight; no side has endured as many losses at that stage of the tournament.

– New Zealand have been knocked out before the Rugby World Cup final on five occasions, however only once before has the side who eliminated the All Blacks before the final gone on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup (Australia in 1991). 

– The All Blacks had won 18 games in a row at the Rugby World Cup before their semi-final defeat to England, the longest winning run in the history of the tournament.

– Scotland became the first side to ‘nil’ their opponents in back-to-back Rugby World Cup games, keeping both Samoa and Russia scoreless in consecutive matches. 

– There were eight red cards shown at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, at least twice as many as any other edition of the tournament (four in 1995 and 1999).

Following his red card, @RugbyCanada forward Josh Larsen visited the @Springboks changing room to apologize to Thomas du Toit after the game.

This is what rugby is all about.pic.twitter.com/IodogVYNUS

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 9, 2019

– Jake Polledri beat 27 defenders in the pool stage for Italy, the most ever recorded by a forward in an entire edition of the Rugby World Cup (Buck Shelford 22 for New Zealand in 1987), despite playing just 196 minutes. 

– Against Canada, South Africa’s Cobus Reinach scored the earliest hat-trick ever in a Rugby World Cup match, crossing for his third try in the 21st minute.

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