How to watch the last two games of the competition wherever you are in the world – including options to watch for free
So here it is, the day when seven weeks of competition reach an exciting climax. New Zealand and South Africa meet in the final tonight as they each try to win a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup. It’s the ultimate clash of the titans, so you’ll want to watch a Rugby World Cup live stream to follow the action as it happens.
This article contains all the information you need to view the last game of this year’s tournament – including details of how to watch for FREE.
Lucky fans in Ireland can watch the final for free on RTÉ Player or Virgin Media Player. In the UK, meanwhile, the match is available to stream for free on ITVX. If you’re away from home you can use a VPN, such as Express VPN, to watch the Rugby World Cup for free from abroad.
Here’s all the key information for tonight’s final:
- New Zealand v South Africa (8:00pm (BST), Saturday 28 October, Stade de France)
Read on to find out how to watch a Rugby World Cup live stream, and keep up with the last two games of the tournament as they happen. Our RWC 2023 fixtures guide will also help you stay on top of your viewing schedule.
Watch the Rugby World Cup: live stream for FREE from Ireland
In Ireland, the 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup will be available to watch FOR FREE, with coverage shared between RTÉ (and its RTÉ Player), and Virgin Media Television (and its Virgin Media Player).
The final is available on both Virgin Media One (plus Virgin Media Player) and RTÉ2 (plus RTÉ Player).
If you’re an Irish resident away from home but want your usual coverage it’s best to use a VPN like ExpressVPN (which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee) to watch from anywhere. Just follow the instructions below.
How to watch a Rugby World Cup live stream from outside your country
If you want to watch the Rugby World Cup action from your country’s broadcaster, but are abroad, you can do so by using a VPN – Virtual Private Network.
A VPN is a piece of software which offers both online privacy and the ability to change your IP address, meaning that you can access on-demand content or live TV like you would back at home while in another country.
Our fine colleagues at TechRadar have tested hundreds of VPNs and recommend ExpressVPN, which is easy to use, has strong security features and lets you to watch on several devices at once, including smart TVs and phones, iPads, tablets, PCs and Macs.
Plus, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get three months free.
We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
- Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
- Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
How to live stream the Rugby World Cup for FREE from the UK
Once again ITV have the exclusive rights to show the Rugby World Cup to UK audiences.
As well as airing on ITV’s TV channels – the final will be available on ITV1 – every one of the World Cup games can be streamed FREE on ITVX via your computer or smart device. ITVX has an amazing app that works on almost all your smart devices, so just search for the app on any device, phone or console you have.
If you’re travelling outside of the UK but want your usual coverage you can use ExpressVPN to watch matches FOR FREE from abroad. You’ll also need a valid TV licence to watch ITVX when overseas.
How to stream from South Africa
If you want to watch the Rugby World Cup from South Africa, SuperSport is the place to go.
There are various SuperSport packages available, whether you want to watch via DStv or stream.
Springboks matches will also be available free-to-air on SABC, meaning you’ll be able to catch the final on the network, and on the SABC Plus streaming service. However, restrictions within the deal mean that millions of viewers on the Openview platform will not be able to view the matches on SABC.
Watch a World Cup stream from the USA
For those who live in the United States, NBC Sports are the rights holders for the Rugby World Cup. They’ve streamed all 46 matches so far on their Peacock Premium streaming service (which is available for $5.99 per month) and that will continue with the final.
The final will also be available on CNBC, and broadcast on a delay via NBC’s “Encore” service on Sunday.
Sling is a smart TV service that allows people in the US to watch cable channels on their TV, laptop or tablet without actually having to subscribe to an annual cable TV package.
CNBC is available on Sling with the Sling Blue package with the News Extra add-on. It’s $41 per month but the first seven days are free and you can cancel at any time.
Live stream from New Zealand
In New Zealand, subscription service Sky Sport NZ has once again secured the rights to show the every game of the Rugby World Cup.
In addition, the final will be available to view live and for FREE on Sky Open.
Watch the Rugby World Cup: stream from Australia
Aussie rugby fans will be tuning in to Stan Sport, as the streaming platform is showing all 48 Rugby World Cup matches, ad-free, live and on demand.
Live coverage of the World Cup final will also be available for free on Channel 9 and the 9Now streaming service.
It costs $15 a month to add Stan Sport to your general Stan plan. There is also a 30-day free trial available so you can give Stan a run out first – though it’s worth noting that this does not apply to Stan Sport.
Watch the World Cup: stream for FREE from Europe
World Rugby’s RugbyPass TV streaming service is providing English language Rugby World Cup live streams FOR FREE in Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Malta, Slovakia and Ukraine.
TF1 have the broadcast rights in France – however, they have also agreed a sub-licensing deal for 28 of the 48 matches with commercial broadcaster M6 and public-service broadcaster France TV.
In Italy, Rai and Sky Italia have the rights to show the World Cup.
Watch the Rugby World Cup: live stream for FREE from Asia
World Rugby’s RugbyPass TV streaming service is providing Rugby World Cup live streams FOR FREE in China, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.
beIN Sports is the place to go to watch a Rugby World Cup live stream in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. All 48 matches of the tournament will be available on the beIN Sports Connect app, and on dedicated pop-up channel beIN Sports Rugby.
In some countries (including Hong Kong, Singapore and Philippines), Rugby World Cup matches are not included as part of your usual BeIN Sports subscription. To watch the tournament, you’ll need to pay for an additional RWC Pass, which will give you access to all the matches. (Prices vary by country.)
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