The 2023 Rugby World Cup gets underway this Friday night, with a blockbuster opening contest between France and the All Blacks taking centre stage to kick-start the competition. After months of anticipation, this seismic clash is the perfect way to start off the 10th Rugby World Cup.
Both sides will be leaving it all on the pitch to secure the win, and put their best foot forward for the rest of the competition. New Zealand and France both enter the World Cup amongst the four front-running favourites (with Ireland and South Africa), with the All Blacks searching for a record setting fourth Rugby World Cup title. Les Bleus want nothing more than to win their first Rugby World Cup this year, and lift the Web Ellis Trophy on home soil.
Throughout the Rugby World Cup’s nine previous iterations, there have been some memorable opening day matches to look back on. From titanic clashes between giants of the rugby world, to the most unexpected of upsets, the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup is a special few days that rugby fans look forward to once every four years.
Before France and New Zealand add the latest chapter in the history of Rugby World Cup openers this Friday night, here are our picks for the top 5 opening weekend matches, throughout the history of the pinnacle competition.
1. New Zealand 23 – 13 South Africa: 2019 Rugby World Cup (Pool B)
21st September 2019, International Stadium Yokohama, Yokahama
The latest addition to this list of early competition classics, the All Blacks and Springboks met in the opening match of Pool B at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, for a firecracker contest that ignited the tournament. After the two rivals battled to a 16-16 stalemate in the 2019 Rugby Championship just over a month prior, New Zealand ensured that the spoils would not be shared this time around, as they perused a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title.
After an initial 20-minute arm wrestle for control, Richie Mo’unga slotted a penalty to break the deadlock for the All Blacks, before the opening try was added by winger George Bridge. The Springboks were stunned, and Steve Hansen’s men capitalised on their disorganisation as Scott Barrett powered over for their second try just four minutes later. This double blow had the ‘Boks on the ropes until half time, with Handre Pollard’s sole penalty slightly dropping the deficit to 17-3.
South Africa rallied back early in the second half, with Pieter Steph du Toit’s try dragging the soon to be World Champions back into the match. From then on, the fixture was won from the boot, as despite the best efforts of Pollard’s drop goal, Beauden Barrett’s late penalty established unobtainable daylight for the Springboks, and an All Blacks victory. Despite the opening round defeat, the Springboks bounced back to progress out of the Pool, with knock-out stage victories over Japan and Wales seeing them through to a triumphant Rugby World Cup Final against England.
2. South Africa 32 – 34 Japan: 2015 Rugby World Cup (Pool B)
19th September 2015, Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton
One of the most famous Rugby World Cup upsets of all time, in what was arguably the finest hour for Japanese Rugby. The ‘Brighton Miracle’ of 2015 has gone down in Rugby World Cup folklore, as Japan secured a dramatic comeback victory over the heavily favoured Springboks, to start off the action in Pool B. Heading into the match, few expected anything less than a one-sided South African victory, however, Japan provided an unforgettable upset, with none other than Eddie Jones taking charge of the Brave Blossoms.
The ‘Boks tried to run over their considerably smaller opponents, yet Jones’ defensive ingenuity had taught Japan the art of the chop tackle. The two sides traded first half blows, as Francois Louw opened up the scoring for the Springboks before Japan Captain Michael Leitch responded with an example-setting try. A 12-10 half-time score saw Japan remain in touching distance, with fullback Ayumu Goromaru slotting five second half penalties, to counteract South Africa’s tries from Bismarck du Plessis, Lodewyk de Jager and Jan Strauss.
Goromaru’s phenomenal try in the 69th minute then levelled up the scores, and the previously impossible challenge now seemed achievable. In the final play of the match, time stood still, as replacement winger Karne Hesketh fought his way into the corner, to wrap up an unbelievable victory for Japan, for just their second ever win at the Rugby World Cup. This win was a world away from the 52-8 shut-out against Zimbabwe in 1991, and established the Brave Blossoms’ intentions as big-time players on the international stage.