Ooolè, olè, olè, olè… olè, olè. 1995, 2007 and now 2019 Rugby World Cup champions. Go Bokke! The Springboks brought people all over the world together on Saturday, 2 November 2019.
After a gruelling first half and by the saving grace of Pollard’s boot, it was Makazole Mapimpi’s try which was the ultimate stress-breaker. Cheslin Kolbe’s try followed in the 73rd minute and Saffas worldwide were rejoicing and already celebrating before the final whistle blew. The nation went wild when we saw the guy engraving South Africa’s name on The Webb Ellis cup minutes before the end.
Some people were so excited, the police were alerted. A group of South Africans in America were so excited, neighbours thought the worst. It led to the police coming down…
An interesting Rugby World Cup needs some interesting facts:
Here are some interesting facts about the Springboks’ final match:
- 32 points are the most points South Africa has ever scored in a final.
- Frans Steyn has won 2 RWC gold medals along with Os Du Randt who played by his side in 2007 and also won the RWC gold medal in 1995.
- The Springboks became the first team in history to win the Rugby Championship (old Tri-Nations) and the world cup in one year.
- Handre Pollard’s 20 points are the most points ever to be scored by a South African in a final.
- Handre Pollard is also the top scorer of the tournament with 69 points.
- South Africa scored the most points during the 2019 RWC tallying 262 points.
- The Springboks have a track record of never losing in a RWC final.
Did You know?
- In 1905 a Welsh referee blew a whistle during a game between England and New Zealand. This same whistle has since then been blown for the opening game of every Rugby World Cup tournament. This is mind-blowing!
- Bryan Habana tied the record for most tries in one world cup series with Jonah Lomu. Habana in 2007 and Lomu in 1995. What a trying experience.
- The Rugby World Cup winners are awarded The Webb Ellis Cup. William Webb Ellis invented the game of rugby by apparently picking up a soccer ball and running with it during a soccer match. Football for the Northern Hemisphere.
- South Africa has a trend of winning every third Rugby World Cup. We took home the Cup in 1995, then again in 2007 and now in 2019! Well, as they say: Third time’s a charm…
Bonus: Before the first-ever Rugby World Cup was hosted in 1987, America was technically the reigning international champions since they had won the gold medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics rugby tournament.
And the World Rugby Award goes to…
It comes as no surprise that the Springboks won Team of the Year at the World Rugby Awards held on the 3rd of November in Tokyo, Japan. Furthermore, coach Rassie Erasmus walked away with the World Rugby Coach of the Year award and Pieter-Steph Du Toit snatched up the World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard award!
Herschel Jantjies was nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year, but the award ultimately went to French Flyhalf Romain Ntamack.
Cobus Reinach’s hat-trick try against Canada got him a spot on the shortlist for Try of the Year. TJ Perenara from New Zealand went home with the award after his length-of-the-field try against Namibia.
We hope we will see more highlights from the Springboks in the coming year and many more years to come. Bokke, you have made us proud.
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