All Blacks fans around the country are celebrating after the nail biting finish to a classic semi-final match that went right down to the last minute.
Christchurch fans react at the final whistle. Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy
At The Fox sports bar in Auckland's Viaduct harbour, the atmosphere was tense for most of the match.
Many patrons had been up all night, too excited to sleep.
But for All Blacks fans, the wait was worth it.
Michaela Brchlova (centre, wrapped in flag,) spent much of the game shaking with excitement. Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley
Michaela Brchlova spent most of the game on an emotional roller coaster - so was relieved the All Blacks finally won.
"I'm shaking...I'm so shaking, look at me," she said after the win. "That was exhausting, but I'm so happy."
Fans hugged and kissed at the final whistle as a deafening roar filled the bar.
"I'm absolutely stoked!" said Logan Gurney, "I was pulling my hair out almost but we did it."
Cameron Davis described the match as "brilliant".
"We've got to be clinical in the final, but that was brilliant, so brilliant. It was an amazing game,"
Springboks fans, however, took the loss in their stride.
"It's very sad, but we are okay. The best team won," said Amelia Galloway.
Fellow South African Neil Monberg added: "It's disappointing but we will definitely be supporting the Kiwis in the final."
It was a sentiment shared by fellow Springbok fan Robbie Adams.
"It's sad we lost, but it was an awesome game. That's how the game should be. I'm happy for the All Blacks, I hope they win the World Cup, but I'm sad to see South Africa go. Their defence was awesome and they gave it their all. I'm just glad we didn't lose by as much as France."
Further south, Christchurch fans said the early morning wake-up call for the big game was worth it.
"I was actually really relieved," said one punter. "The way we played, I could just seeing penalties going against us in the last 10 minutes and it would be all over. It was full-on."
Another fan didn't hide his emotions: "I was so stressed! Heart pounding like crazy, but nah, we're there, so it's great."
