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Greatest Moments In South African Rugby History

Greatest Moments In South African Rugby History

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Rugby is one of the most popular sports in South Africa, and its national team, the Springboks, has the support of millions. Given the controversy surrounding the isolation ban of the national team during apartheid, rugby in South Africa has a checkered past. But it has since become a unifying force throughout the country. Here are some of the greatest moments in South African rugby history.

Sources: RugbyHQ, TheRoar.com, RugbyFootballHistory.com, Jack-and-Dougie.com, RugbyDump.com, SARugby.net, Wikipedia.org, SARugbyMag.co.za

ESPNScrum.com
ESPNScrum.com

2009 Tri-Nations win in Hamilton

In the final matchup between the Springboks and their biggest rival, the All Blacks, at the 2009 Tri Nations championship, South Africa had to travel to Hamilton, where New Zealand would have home field advantage. Despite this, the Boks pulled it out with three long-range penalties, a drop goal and conversion, and two impressive tries to hold off a last-minute almost comeback from the All Blacks. South Africa took home the championship for the first time since 2004.

RugbyDump.com
RugbyDump.com

Springboks vs. All Blacks 2000, Ellis Park

Again, the Springboks pulled out a victory over the All Blacks in the Tri-Nations series, but this time in their own home. In a thrilling game which saw 60-plus points by half-time, the Springboks came back from a 40-39-point deficit with 12 minutes remaining to pull ahead 46-40 by the time the final second wound down.

CurateAfrica.org
CurateAfrica.org

1992 Cape Town (almost) Comeback

After finally being released from the isolation ban put in place during apartheid, South African rugby re-entered international competition with a match against New Zealand in August 1992. It was immediately obvious that the isolation years had severely impacted the South African team. They were outmatched by the All Blacks, but nearly managed a comeback in the final minutes. A 17-3 deficit was almost overcome in the second half, and the Springboks fell short 27-24 in the end. A loss, but an exciting moment for the reemergence of South African rugby.

DailyMail.co.uk GettyImages
DailyMail.co.uk
GettyImages

2009 last-minute penalty kick

How could you not love a 53-meter last-second penalty shot by Morne Steyn to clinch the win for the Springboks over the British and Irish Lions? Last kick of the game, and shattered the Lions’ lead that had been held for 73 minutes of the game. Bravo, Steyn. Bravo.

TheGuardian.com
TheGuardian.com

2007 World Cup win

With five penalties, South Africa managed to pull out the World Cup win over England at the tournament in 2007, held in Paris, France. Though the match was try-less, the excitement and pride for South Africans following their second World Cup win was unparalleled.

ABC.net.au
ABC.net.au

Bulls beat the Reds, 92-3

In this rugby union match-up (they couldn’t all be Springboks highlights!) the Vodacom Bulls killed the Queensland Reds by the largest margin in history, winning the match by 89 points in 2007. The Bulls needed a 72-point victory in order to secure the home field advantage for the following Super 14 semi-final — a tall order — but delivered above and beyond with stunning style.

ESPNScrum.com
ESPNScrum.com

1998 Tri Nations victory vs. Australia

In a stunning victory, the Boks amassed wins on the road in Australia and New Zealand before coming home to win the championship game 29-15 in Johannesburg. It was their first Tri-Nations title, and a mighty impressive one at that!

FaeronWheeler.com
FaeronWheeler.com

Nelson Mandela presents the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy to Francois Pienaar

It went down as one of the greatest moments in sports history, let alone South African rugby history: Nelson Mandela presenting the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy to Springboks Capt. Francois Pienaar. The message to the international community was that South Africa had become a united nation.