Analysing South Africa's three Rugby World Cup successes

While New Zealand are often regarded as the most fierce and competitive side in rugby union, their southern hemisphere rivals South Africa share the spoils as the most successful side in Rugby World Cup history, with three Webb Ellis Cups.

The Springboks matched the All Blacks’ record with a third World Cup in Japan four years ago, and they are on the hunt to become just the second team in history to win the Webb Ellis Cup two times in a row – after New Zealand achieved the feat in 2011 and 2015.

South Africa are the Rugby World Cup favourites alongside Ireland, who they lost to in a thrilling pool stage encounter that ended 13-8 at the Stade de France. But the Springboks still have time to bounce back from that defeat and get their title charge back on track.

So, as South Africa seek a record-breaking Webb Ellis Cup triumph, let’s look at their three previous victories.

1995: Springboks win first World Cup on home soil

Having been banned from partaking in the first two editions of the Rugby World Cup due to Apartheid, South Africa made a huge statement on their maiden appearance in 1995 by winning the tournament on home soil.

The Springboks opened proceedings with a 27-18 victory over their southern hemisphere rivals Australia in Cape Town, and they went on to beat Romania (21-8) and Canada (20-0) to top Pool A unscathed.

They faced Western Samoa in the quarter-finals and made light work of their opposition, winning 42-14 in Johannesburg largely thanks to four Chester Williams tries. South Africa then booked their place in the final with a 19-16 victory over France.

The showpiece match against New Zealand was a nervy affair, ending 9-9 following the regulatory 80 minutes to force extra-time. Both sides scored a penalty in the first half of the additional time, but Joel Stransky won it with a drop goal for the hosts. President Nelson Mandela presented the side with the Webb Ellis Cup in what remains one of the most iconic moments in history.

2007: South Africa beat defending champions England

South Africa entered the 2007 tournament in France priced at 5/1 (or 6.0 if you need a betting calculator to change the odds to decimal format). However, they made everyone sit up and take notice with four dominating wins to top Pool A unbeaten — seeing off Samoa (59-7), England (36-0), Tonga (30-25) and the United States (64-15).

The quarter-finals saw the Springboks take on Fiji at the Stade Velodrome, and they ran out 37-20 as five different try scorers got on the scoresheet in Marseille. South Africa then faced surprise semi-finalists Argentina in the last four, ending the South American side’s fairy-tale run with a 37-13 win at the Stade de France.

The final was a rematch of their pool fixture, as defending champions England went toe-to-toe with the Springboks once again. Brian Ashton’s side were looking to become the first-ever team to win back-to-back World Cups and made the final much more competitive than their previous meeting – but South Africa still came out on top with a 15-6 win.

2019: South Africa beat England again

The Rugby World Cup was held in Asia for the first time in 2019, and South Africa were crowned champions for a third time to emulate New Zealand’s record. The Springboks lost their opener 23-13 to the All Blacks in Yokohama but beat Namibia (47-22), Italy (49-3) and Canada (66-7) to secure second in Pool B.

South Africa faced hosts Japan in the quarter-finals and avenged their shock 34-32 defeat to The Brave Blossoms in Brighton four years prior with a commanding 26-3 victory at Tokyo Stadium. That set up a semi-final against Wales and the Springboks came out on top with a 19-16 win thanks to a late penalty from Handre Pollard.

The final in Tokyo proved to be a repeat of the 2007 showpiece, with South Africa facing England and coming out on top once again. Discipline seemed to let England down, as the Springboks converted six penalties on top of late tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe for a 32-12 win.