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Cape Town - Sport24 highlights the Top 10 unforgettable moments from Rugby World Cup 2015:
1. Japan's shock win over the Springboks
Karne Hesketh's try after the hooter had sounded gave his side a shock 34-32 win over the Springboks. It was not only the biggest shock in the tournament's history, but perhaps also the biggest upset in the history of rugby union.
Eddie Jones's men went on to win three of their pool games, but failed to make the knockout phases - the first time a team had won three pool games and not progressed to the quarter-finals.
2. Sonny Bill Williams consoling Jesse Kriel
All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams displayed great sportsmanship following their 20-18 semi-final win over the Springboks. As the final whistle sounded Williams, instead of celebrating with his team-mates, found his distraught-looking Springbok counterpart Jesse Kriel sitting against a goal post and offered him words of encouragement - and a hug - before helping him to his feet. Classy.
3. Romanian player proposes after Ireland defeat
Replacement Romanian halfback Florin Surugiu was quick to put his side's defeat to Ireland behind him.
The Romanian team started going on a lap of honour after a 44-10 defeat at Wembley - but Surugiu broke away to pop girlfriend Alexandra the question.
To spare him any embarrassment, she said "yes".
4. Fitting send-off for Namibian prop
After finishing their World Cup with a try against Argentina, Namibia gave retiring prop Johnny Redelinghuys a chance to kick the conversion from close to the corner. He struck the ball well, but his attempt was just not powerful enough as it hit the posts. He will forever cherish his 50th and final Test though.
5. England's embarrassment
England embarrassed themselves when they became the first host nation of a World Cup to fail to make it through to the knockout phases. Losses to Wales (28-25) and Australia (33-13) saw the Poms exit the tournament earlier than expected.
6. Craig Joubert's early exit
South Africa referee Craig Joubert’s early exit from the Twickenham pitch at the final whistle sparked an outrage from the Scottish community, who felt aggrieved at how he had handled their quarter-final loss to Australia. It was a tragic day for the Scots, and a forgettable one for Joubert.
7. Sonny Bill's touch of class
The All Black centre displayed a touch of class when he gave his World Cup winners' medal to a young fan who had run onto the field during the celebrations after the final. Williams has since been given a replacement medal by World Rugby.
8. Habana equals Lomu
Bryan Habana’s hat-trick against the USA saw him equal Jonah Lomu for the most tries in World Cup history. Unfortunately for the Bok wing, he could not cross the whitewash again to make the record his own.
9. THAT Du Preez try
The winning try against Wales in the quarter-finals was undoubtedly the Springboks’ finest moment at the Rugby World Cup... and the man responsible for shaking South Africa was captain Fourie du Preez.
10. Dan Carter's final performance
It was a match that Carter had waited a lifetime to play, and he was simply majestic in the final against Australia. He will go down as one of the best to have ever played the game.
