Faf de Klerk guided South Africa to World Cup glory in Japan, with the hosts setting the tournament alight with an unexpected run to the quarter-finals.

Here's a look at some key moments of 2019:

Team of the year: South Africa

The Springboks delighted the 'Rainbow Nation' by overcoming an opening pool defeat by New Zealand to claim a third World Cup title after previous successes in 1995 and 2007.

Reinvigorated by coach Rassie Erasmus, a multi-cultural team led by the country's first black skipper, Siya Kolisi, beat Japan and Wales in the knock-out phase to set up a final against England. They went on to win that game easily, 32-12, to claim the Webb Ellis trophy.

The Springboks' gameplan, while not tough to work out, was extremely tough to overcome: immense forward power and a crash-ball midfield alongside a great kicking game and an immovable defense to ensure maximum pressure on opponents.

When they cracked, the playmakers set outstanding flying wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe loose.

Player of the year: Faf de Klerk 

A triumph for the smaller man in a game increasingly dominated by bigger athletes, de Klerk enjoyed a breakthrough year on the back of a move to English club Sale.

Teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit may have won the official World Rugby player-of-the-year award, but De Klerk was the effervescent driver of a Bok team based around experienced No. 8 Duane Vermeulen, fly-half Handre Pollard and prop Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira.

Instantly recognisable with his flowing blonde locks, De Klerk showcased his fine kicking game and also proved a real nuisance around the ruck area, a handful for any defense.

Standing only 5ft 7in (1.72m) tall and weighing 13st 12lb (88kg), he makes up for his lack of physical presence with bravery, especially in defense. 

His confrontation with the massive Welsh lock Jake Ball was one of the images of the tournament. Another was the sight of him in Springbok underpants welcoming Prince Harry to the dressing room after the final.

Game of the year: England vs New Zealand 

The All Blacks were targeting a third consecutive World Cup title in Japan, but came unstuck against an England side who produced a performance of the ages in the semi-finals for a sensational 19-7 victory.

Manu Tuilagi scored an opening try for England, and the recalled George Ford kicked four penalties to nullify an Ardie Savea try for the All Blacks in the team's first World Cup loss since going down to France in the 2007 quarter-finals.

The match in Yokohama had everything, starting with England's epic respnse to New Zealand's pre-kickoff haka. 

A startling opening quarter had the crowd on the edge of their seats, as Ford marshaled a superb forward effort led by locks Courtney Lawes and Maro Itoje which saw England dominate territory and possession.

Sam Underhill's driving tackle on Jordie Barrett, which resulted in a penalty for England, summed up how Eddie Jones' team had won the psychological battle with a misfiring All Blacks side in a classic encounter.

Revelation of the year: Japan 

Having beaten the Springboks in Brighton in 2015, much was expected of Japan who also had the blessing of being host nation. 

They responded superbly with a stunning win over Ireland and then, with the nation in mourning over the deaths of more than 80 people at the hands of Typhoon Hagibis, they turned over Scotland to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the first time.

Beating South Africa again was beyond them, but their all-action game reopened the debate about whether Japan should join the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship or even Europe's Six Nations.

Try of the year: Kenki Fukuoka

Japan's run to the quarter-finals saw wingers Kotaro Matsushima and Kenki Fukuoka become household names, the pair running in a handful of tries.

While it was a simple finish for Fukuoka, his catch and grounding from a sweet Timothy Lafaele offload handed Japan a crucial 16-12 lead over Ireland, who had been World Rugby's number-one ranked team just weeks before.

The crowd in Shizuoka, chanting "Nippon! Nippon!", went wild as Fukuoka emerged from a mass of Japanese teammates, a try that sealed an invaluable victory for the host nation, just as their upset victory over the Boks in 2015 had caught attention.

What to watch in 2020

Fiji won the inaugural rugby sevens tournament at the Rio Olympics, the image of their kneeling players receiving gold medals from Britain's Princess Anne becoming an iconic image of those Games.

The Fijians could only finish ninth in the World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai before a run to the semi-finals in Cape Town last weekend. However, they also started slow on the World Series last year before coming on strong in the latter half to finish in first place. 

They will look to build up a head of steam going into what is expected to be a physically draining competition at a hot and humid Tokyo Olympics next year.

One thorn in their side could come in the shape of fleet-footed, World Cup winning Bok winger Cheslin Kolbe. The former Blitzboks 7s Olympic bronze medalist has hinted at a return to the abbreviated game.

By Luke Fisher

© Agence France-Presse