2015
South Africa 32-34 Japan
Memorable for all the wrong reasons! One of the darkest days
in South African rugby history, as they were stunned by the
unfancied Japan in their opening game of the 2015 tournament.
A last-gasp try from Karne Hesketh saw Japan, coached
by Eddie Jones, shock the rugby world in Huddersfield.
The Springboks responded superbly, though, to top
their pool and reach the semi-finals, where they were
accounted for by eventual winners New Zealand,
before beating Argentina to finish third.
2011
South Africa 9-11 Australia
Having edged a thriller with Wales in the pool stage to top the
group, the Springboks came up against Australia in the last eight.
The two sides were evenly matched throughout before
a late penalty from James O’Connor broke South African
hearts and sent the Wallabies into the semi-finals.
2007
South Africa 15-6 England
A second World Cup success, sealed thanks to penalties from
Percy Montgomery and Francois Steyn in a final that is best
remembered for the controversy around the ‘was it or wasn’t
it a try’ when England wing Mark Cueto attempted to ground
the ball while simultaneously being bundled into touch.
The Springboks were impressive throughout the competition,
with Bryan Habana scoring eight times in seven games, and
Montgomery the only player to pass the 100-point mark.
2003
South Africa 60-10 Samoa: A heavy defeat
to England meant the Springboks were
odds-on for second place in their pool in
Australia, and they responded to the defeat
to Sir Clive Woodward’s side with a eight-try
drubbing of Samoa, whose only try came
from current Gala coach, Opeta Palepoi.
1999
South Africa 44-21 England: Five drop-goals from stand-off
Jannie de Beer remains a world record, while he also kicked
five penalties and a pair of conversions for a personal haul
of 33 points. The late, great Joost van der Westhuizen and
stand-off Pieter Rossouw, score the ‘Boks’ tries as they
eased into the last four in an attempt to defend their title.1995
South Africa 15-12 New Zealand: A match that was about
more than just rugby, as the ‘rainbow nation’ joined
together to cheer on the home side at Ellis Park against
the pre-tournament favourites New Zealand, for whom
Jonah Lomu had been a one-man wrecking ball.
In the final, though, he found himself well marshalled by
the Springboks, with opposite number James Small making
one crunching tackle, while an injury-time drop-goal from
Joel Stransky saw the home side celebrate victory.
Such is the significance of the victory, it
was turned into a film ‘Invictus’1991
Did not compete1987
Did not competeMEMORABLE RUGBY WORLD CUP MOMENTS
Matches played: 36
Wins: 30 Losses: 6
Win percentage: 83%
Total points scored: 1236
Tries: 141 Penalties: 98
Conversions: 103
Drop-goals: 15
World ranking: 4THE SPRINGBOKS AT
THE RUGBY WORLD CUPRUGBY WORLD CUP - TOP 10
ISSUE 116 2019 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • 33