Today in History: Reliving the moment the Springboks made history at Ellis Park
The Springboks made waves around the world when they clinched the 1995 Rugby World Cup title with their first appearance at a Rugby World Cup.
South Africa went into the 1995 Rugby World Cup being nowhere near one of the favourites, but somehow managed to find themselves facing off against tournament favourites, New Zealand, in the final on 24 June, 1995.
The Springboks’ journey began on 25 May with a tough opener against Australia at Newlands which they managed to win 27–18. Thereafter they met with Romania, again at Newlands, winning 21–8. Their final group stage game was against Canada, at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth, where they won 20–0 and finished top of Group A.
Finishing at the top of their group gave the Boks a favourable draw that saw them take on Western Samoa at Ellis Park, winning 42–14. This saw them meet with France at Kings Park Stadium in Durban for a clash that will forever be remembered – for the conditions rather than the game itself. Despite the weather, the Boks managed to emerge victorious by 19–15 to set up a final against New Zealand at Ellis Park.
The game was significant in the fact that it resembled exactly what then-president Nelson Mandela had been striving for: togetherness.
Prior to 1995, black South Africans had been forbidden to play in the national rugby team. But, at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Chester Williams became the first black rugby player to don the Springbok jersey at a Rugby World Cup.
The day before the final, most of the New Zealand team got food poisoning, which some believed to have been a deliberate act of sabotage.
Nelson Mandela looked on from the stands at Ellis Park as the two nations pitted against one another both came into the final undefeated.
South Africa led 9–6 at halftime, but early in the second half, the All Blacks tied the score at 9–9. A drop goal by South Africa’s Joel Stransky broke the 12–12 tie in extra time, giving the Springboks the title. After the game, Mandela, wearing Springbok captain Francois Pienaar’s jersey, presented the trophy to a visibly moved Pienaar.
In 2007, Nelson Mandela’s appearance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup was chosen as the greatest moment in World Cup history.
You can relive the moment South Africa won the final and received the trophy here:
You can also have a look at what Nelson Mandela’s appearance meant to a couple of rugby personalities here:
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