Your #Springboks team for the Rugby World Cup Final against New Zealand in Paris tomorrow. Image source: Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images
New Zealand and South Africa are two of the most successful teams in Rugby World Cup history, having each won the Webb Ellis Cup on three occasions. They have also met five times at the tournament, with the Springboks winning the first two encounters and the All Blacks winning the last three.
Published By Everthing ZA Travel
1995 Rugby World Cup Final
The most famous meeting between New Zealand and South Africa at the Rugby World Cup came in the 1995 Final, which was hosted by South Africa. The match was played against the backdrop of the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy, and it was seen as a unifying moment for the nation.
The Springboks were narrow favorites going into the match, and they lived up to expectations, winning 15-12 in extra time. Joel Stransky scored the winning drop goal in the final minute of the match, sending the crowd at Ellis Park into wild celebrations.
2003 Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final
New Zealand and South Africa met again in the quarter-finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, this time in Melbourne, Australia. The All Blacks were overwhelming favorites, and they cruised to a 29-9 victory.
2015 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final
The two teams met for the third time at the Rugby World Cup in the semi-finals of the 2015 tournament, which was hosted by England. The match was a close and tense affair, but New Zealand eventually emerged victorious, winning 20-18.
2019 Rugby World Cup Group Stage
New Zealand and South Africa met for the fourth time at the Rugby World Cup in the group stage of the 2019 tournament, which was hosted by Japan. The All Blacks won the match comfortably, 23-13.
2023 Rugby World Cup Gold Medal Match
The two teams will meet again in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Gold Medal Match on Saturday, October 28 at Stade de France in Paris. It is shaping up to be a classic encounter between two of the world’s best rugby teams.
Overall Record
New Zealand has a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup, winning three matches to the Springboks’ two. However, South Africa has won the only two matches that have been played in the final.
Both teams have a long and storied rivalry at the Rugby World Cup, and their matches are always some of the most anticipated of the tournament. The 2023 Rugby World Cup Gold Medal Match is sure to be no exception, as the two teams battle it out for the Webb Ellis Cup.
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The most experienced #Springboks team ever will line up for the #RWC2023 Final against New Zealand in Paris on Saturday – more here: https://t.co/oySTFCRVOo 🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/JEeGNVyjI1
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 26, 2023
