Even though the Springboks’ first-ever World Cup triumph came 30 years ago, current players say there are still many lessons to be learnt from that trailblazing squad.
It was on this day that Francois Pienaar famously held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup in front of tens of thousands of South Africans after a 15-12 extra-time win against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Asked about the relevance of that squad on the current crop of players, Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe says what was achieved in 1995 inspires the Boks today.
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“They laid the foundation back in 1995 and they wore the jersey with pride and respect,” said Kolbe. “I think for us as players who get the opportunity on weekends, we need to make sure that we leave the jersey in a better place whenever we do play. ”
Even though the ’95 triumph was before his time, the 31-year-old footage of that epic final was a part of his rugby inspiration.
“I was way too young to watch it live but I did watch a lot of highlights of great moments during the 1995 World Cup and those are things that encourage you as a youngster looking up to the heroes that played back then and you wanting to be on that stage as well and even do better with your current teammates.
“The foundation has been laid,” said the two-time World Cup winner.
Since 1995, the Springboks have gone on to win three more World Cups in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
Photo: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images
