Classic Springboks put on an excellent display to pick up their seventh World Rugby Classic title with an impressive 45-10 triumph over Canadian Classics at the National Sports Centre last night.

The South Africans, who were outstanding throughout the tournament, outscored the Canadians by seven tries to one to win their first title since 2016.

It was a proud moment for Sam Gerber, the South African captain, who finally won the popular tournament at the fifth attempt.

“What an awesome win for us,” Gerber told The Royal Gazette. “We came together nicely this week from the first game against the Classic Lions, and then a good semi-final against the French.

“Against Canada we just showed great character. I’m so proud of the boys, we never gave up, what a proud time for me to be part of this team.

“I've been coming here since 2017, so this is my fifth year. I’ve played and lost in the final before, we won the Plate in 2023 and then this year we won the tournament.

“The Canadians had an awesome spirit, they never gave up. Our defence was just unbelievable, we conceded two tries this whole tournament and we’re proud of our defence.

“To me defence won us this tournament. There were a couple of superstars there at the back who could run with the ball from anywhere.”

The 43-year-old Gerber announced that this was his last tournament, as his body could no longer cope with playing in a competition where the finalists play three matches inside six days.

“This is it for me, it’s a hard week to play three games,” the winning captain said. “I love this place but five times is enough for me.

“I certainly want to end on a high and it can’t get any better than this, winning the final. We have a couple of games during the year in South Africa, so I’ll probably play in those next year, then go on an overseas tour before I retire.”

Oliver Atkinson, the Canadian captain, whose side came within 60 minutes of winning their first Classic title, expressed his pride in his team’s resilience throughout the tournament.

“I would like to congratulate South Africa for a good game,” the former Canada forward said.

“I also congratulate my guys for stepping up to win two amazing games against Ireland and Argentina.

“We had a team that not only stunned Ireland, we showed that we were here to play. Unfortunately, we didn't get the result that we wanted tonight, but I’m sure South Africa felt us come through them.

“I just think South Africa had some world-class players that obviously stepped up tonight, hit the gaps that we left open but we didn't give up.

“I think the rest of the teams now know that we’re here to play, and Canada is not to be taken lightly any more. Hopefully, next year we can come back and do the same damage as we did this year.”

In a bruising encounter characterised by great defence from both sides, it was the Canadians who scored first when fly half Mike Maloney called for the kicking tee to score a penalty goal from distance when South Africa were penalised for being offside.

From there, the Classic Boks took charge of proceedings. After some relentless pressure, Japie Nel went over in the right corner with Ruan Pienaar’s conversion attempt going wide.

Hard work by the forwards released Rosko Specman to cross the whitewash on the left corner. Pienaar could not add the extra two points from a tight angle.

The South Africans had their third try just before half-time, Pienaar’s perfect dummy saw him score near the posts, with the 2007 World Cup winner booting in the conversion.

It took 14 minutes for any points to be scored in the second half, as Corne Steenkamp powered his way over the line for Joe Pietersen to convert. Robert Kruger offloaded for Nel to score the fifth try for the champions, with Pietersen successful with the conversion.

Willem Alberts provided the final pass for Nel to notch up his second of the match, and Pietersen added the extras.

Canada’s outstanding player in the tournament Blake Mahovic had his moment of brilliance. The full back showed the South Africans a clean pair of heels to score his team’s only try of the match, which he went on to convert.

South Africa had their seventh five-pointer when Specman sliced through the Canadian defence to put Gerhard Munro through. Alberts was tasked with the conversion and the forward did not disappoint in an area he is not well known for.

In the Plate final, Classic Lions defeated Classic Ireland 63-17 to win the consolation prize.

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