Late Springbok Chester Williams and All Black Jonah Lomu.
Images via FABIAN GREDILLAS/ OLIVIER MORIN, AFP
Springboks vs All Blacks: 6 RWC legends who’ve died [photos]
From Joost to Jonah, here are six All Black and Springbok players who stole the show at previous Rugby World Cup events.
Late Springbok Chester Williams and All Black Jonah Lomu.
Images via FABIAN GREDILLAS/ OLIVIER MORIN, AFP
Rugby’s biggest rivals – the Springboks and All Blacks – will face off in the World Cup final on Saturday, 28 October.
But while they may be foes on the field, many of the South African and New Zealand players actually have a mutual respect for each other.
And when a player passes, it comes as no surprise that the entire rugby fraternity mourns its loss.
Do you remember these late legends who made waves at previous World Cups?
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ALL BLACKS VS SPRINGBOKS: 6 LEGENDS GONE TOO SOON
Sadly, many Springbok players from South Africa’s historic 1995 Rugby World Cup win have since died.
They include:
Chester Williams
Chester was one of the shining stars of the ‘95 Rugby World Cup.
Sadly, the 49-year-old died of a heart attack in 2019.
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James Small
Like Williams, Small – who helped score crucial penalties in 1995 – died of a sudden heart attack.
His death – at 50 years old – came just months before SA’s 2019 Rugby World Cup win.
Joost van der Westhuizen
Joost was one of SA’s rugby legends, having played in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 Rugby World Cups.
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Tragically, the star died at age 45 in 2017 after a painful battle with motor neurone disease.
Ruben Kruger
Just one year after playing the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Kruger was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died after a decade-long struggle in 2010., just two months short of his 40th birthday.
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Jonah Lomu
All eyes were on All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cup.
The Kiwi – who struck up firm friendships within the Bok squad – died in 2015 of a heart attack.
Jerry Collins
All Black Jerry – who played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cup – died in 2015 in a car crash in France.
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FOURTH TIME LUCKY?
With the Springboks and All Blacks facing off in the finals, fans are eager to know which country will battle it out to win four Rugby World Cup titles.
SA – who won in 1995, 2007, and 2019 – have never lost in a World Cup final. Meanwhile, New Zealand – who won in 1987, 2011, and 2015, lost once in a final – to SA!
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