South Africa are on the verge of making history, as they take on the All Blacks this Saturday evening in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. The biggest match in the rugby calendar is on the horizon, with the Springboks eyeing up the challenge of retaining their title as World Champions.
Should South Africa win on Saturday, they will become only the second side in history to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. The first was New Zealand, when Richie McCaw captained his side to glory in 2011 and 2015. More prominently though, is another record that South Africa are looking to break this weekend.
The winner of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Final will become the first side in history to win the competition on four separate occasions. The All Blacks won the inaugural tournament in 1987, and then the aforementioned double under McCaw. Whereas the Springboks first won the Rugby World Cup in 1995, with triumphs later coming over England in 2007 and four years ago in Japan.
The Rugby World Cup means so much to the people of South Africa, as legendary Springboks hooker Schalk Brits explained the significance of winning the trophy, to the nation.
“In 2019, the chat was all about heritage and fighting for the land and your people. We grew up in a very tough environment in South Africa. We do understand there is a lot to play for, it is not about winning a rugby match, it is about giving hope. If your motivation is winning a rugby match, there are a lot of rugby games to win.
“But if you’re on the floor and hurting and you know there are 60 million South Africans watching at home, it is not just a rugby game for them. It is about culture, what gives hope in this country. We’ve got massive unemployment, electricity problems, crime is spiralling, a lot of microeconomic problems – so you get off the ground and you tackle the next guy that is running towards you.
“When you start playing to win a World Cup, it becomes extremely personal.”
South Africa booked their spot in the Rugby World Cup Final by the narrowest of margins. After trailing against England with an under-par performance, the Springboks turned their fortune around with a late RG Syman try, and a dramatic Handre Pollard last-ditch match-winning penalty. The 16-15 win was a devastating blow for England, as the Boks march on for the clash with the All Blacks.
After Ireland once again exited the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage, the World Rugby Rankings have had a re-shuffle. South Africa now sit atop the tree, with the All Blacks in hot pursuit in second place for the final.