Rugby World Cup final England reaction

England

England captain Owen Farrell:

"We didn't start the game well and had a disappointing first half.

"But I am proud of this group, what we've done and how far we've come over the course of this tournament and that showed in the character and fight we showed in the second half.

"But credit to South Africa, they were very good today."

England head coach Eddie Jones:

"We struggled to get on the front foot. They were very aggressive in the breakdown and at the scrum and they obviously dominated the scrum which really hurt us. It is hard playing off back foot ball and we couldn't get going.

South Africa deserve to win this World Cup. We were not quite good enough to win today but I cannot fault the effort of my players. they've played with a lot of pride and passion.

"We will not use the bus arriving late to the stadium as an excuse. We weren't good enough and South Africa were better."

On his future: "This is not the time to discuss whether reaching the final and failing to win is regarded as success or failure. It is also not the time to discuss my future.

"I'm just thinking of my players and want to be there for them as they are hurting so much. But there is no reason this side cannot go again and get better."

Scrum-half Ben Youngs:

"We lost the set piece battle, gave away too many penalties, didn't flow in attack. Full credit to South African, they deserved it

"We are devastated, we put so much in and believed we could win it. But to fall so short is heartbreaking. I'm just so gutted. It just didn't work for us today and after so much hard work, improvement and quality performances to lose like this is just devastating."

South Africa

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi:

"The team has gone through a lot and the team has faced a lot of challenges.

"But the people of South Africa have got behind us and it has made such a difference. We appreciate all the support from every area of South Africa.

"We have a lot of problems in our country. But this team is from so many different backgrounds and races and we've come together to achieve one goal. We've done it and shown what's possible.

"I hope we've done South Africa proud and show if we pull together as one we can achieve anything as a country."

"When I was a kid all I thought about was finding my next meal, not playing rugby.

I just knew I needed a chance in life and I knew I'd have to take it. I've done that and I hope more kids like me can be given that chance.

"I just hope we have inspired the country and given hope to people all over the country in every area that we can achieve anything when we work together."

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus:

"Two years ago I didn't think we could win the World Cup. I started to believe it six months ago. Then four weeks ago I was confident we could win it. At half time I knew we would win it.

"It feels very strange to win it. I'm so proud of my players, so proud of my country, proud that we all stand together to achieve this and for all the incredible support back home.

"I hope now we can now use this moment to ensure South African rugby gets stronger over the next 10 years, that we can build on this and continue to play our part in building our country back up.

"We must to use this as a springboard, we have to use this in the right way and make the most of it and I'll be doing my best to ensure we do that."

Fly-half Handre Pollard:

"We weren't perfect but we did what we needed to. We trusted our game plan, how we've played for the last year and knew if we could execute that game plan we would win this match

"To see Siya Kolisi, our first black captain, lifting the trophy is truly a historic day for us. For us to win the World Cup is great for us as players and a day to remember. But today is about so much more than that and what it means for our country is something special - this is a monumental moment for South Africa.

"I hope this helps bring unity to our country. We are all from different backgrounds, towns, cities, economic backgrounds, we got together with one vision and achieved. Hopefully we can take this message home and play our part in our country healing."