2023-10-29 00:25:54
They are now alone in the firmament of world rugby. Winners of New Zealand in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup (12-11), the Springboks won the fourth world title in their history, at the same time overtaking their opponent of the day, who remains three coronations away. The William Webb-Ellis Trophy therefore remains in Pretoria, where it has already been for four years and a clear victory for South Africa against England (32-12). Let’s retrace these four South African wonders.
1995, in front of Nelson Mandela
For the first time since the creation of the Rugby World Cup, South Africa hosted the event in 1995. In front of President Nelson Mandela, symbol of the fight against apartheid, officially abolished only four years ago, the Springboks win their first world title. The final, already against the All Blacks, is a peak of suspense.
In a melting Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, the meeting was particularly close and intense. Victory is decided by penalties and drops. At the end of regulation time, the scoreboard reads 9-9. A drop from Joel Stransky, in the 13th minute of extra time, finally gave the title to the Springboks and plunged all of their supporters into total hysteria. The image of François Pienaar, captain of the team, lifting the trophy alongside Nelson Mandela, went around the world as this coronation marked the history of rugby and South Africa.
2007, Montgomery assomme Wilkinson
Twelve years later, it was in France that the Springboks came to win their second title, at the end of a well-run tournament. From the group stage, the South Africans dominated their opponents head and shoulders, notably inflicting a scathing 36-0 on England.
The final phase does not suffer from any dispute either. After largely dominating Fiji, the Springboks defeated Argentina, then found the XV de la Rose in the final. And the match is very different. More solid and brave, the English took advantage of Jonny Wilkinson’s quality against the poles to stay in the match until the end. However, Percy Montgomery did not tremble either, just like François Steyn, who scored the decisive penalty in the 62nd minute. After another final without a try scored but with an iron defense, the South Africans are back on top of the world.
2019, Pollard’s masterpiece
It took another twelve years for the South Africans to once again be able to hug the William Webb-Ellis Trophy. And as in 2007, they master their subject perfectly. Despite a defeat in the opening match against the All Blacks (12-23), the Springboks slowly gained strength, until reaching the top of their art during the final phase. Japan is the first nation to pay the price. Despite a good first half, the Brave Blossoms sank against the South African powerhouse.
The Welsh resisted much better in the semi-final, but they still cracked. Impeccable against the poles, Handré Pollard chained penalties and conversions, knocking out the Leek XV one last time five minutes from the end of the match. His precision will again hit the mark in the final, against England, with 22 points to the former Montpellier player’s credit. The vivacity of Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe leaves no more chance for the XV de la Rose, which is completely lost, and lets a second coronation slip away (32-12). South Africa then comes back to match its best enemy, New Zealand, with three world titles.
2023, one point is enough
A point. A small point. This is what we will remember from this World Cup in the South African clan. Because after a checkered group stage, marked by great mastery against Scotland (18-3) but a worrying defeat against Ireland (8-13), the Springboks are on the verge of elimination throughout the final phase. Against the French first, Cheslin Kolbe’s teammates are very close to leaving France. But the tactical genius of Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus, combined with the confidence and experience of the players, was enough to make the Blues falter (29-28).
The semi-final against England is just as complicated. Inspired and diligent, the English methodically piled up the points, Owen Farrell showing himself to be devilishly precise against the poles. But a try from RG Snyman, followed by a decisive penalty from Handré Pollard, recalled during the World Cup for his scoring skills, finally overcame the appetite of the XV de la Rose (16-15).
How could it be otherwise in the final? Despite numerical superiority for the majority of the match, following the exclusion of New Zealand captain Sam Cane, the Springboks almost failed to finish in second place in this second French World Cup in history. They finally resisted all the attacks of the All Blacks, at the end of a Homeric battle (12-11). A fourth coronation which now officially places them at the top of the world hierarchy.
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