File photo of New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu attempting to push off South Africa’s James Small (L) as Glen Osborne (R) runs in during the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, in this June 24, 1995 file photo. All Blacks great Lomu, who revolutionised wing play to become rugby union’s first global superstar, died on November 18, 2015 in Auckland at the age of 40. REUTERS/Mark Baker/Files
Picture Supplied by Action Images
Six of the most memorable Springbok victories over the All Blacks
A meeting between the All Blacks and the Springboks is often dubbed “rugby’s biggest rivalry”, but has been one-sided on most occasions. Here’s a look back at some of the most epic encounters.
File photo of New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu attempting to push off South Africa’s James Small (L) as Glen Osborne (R) runs in during the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa, in this June 24, 1995 file photo. All Blacks great Lomu, who revolutionised wing play to become rugby union’s first global superstar, died on November 18, 2015 in Auckland at the age of 40. REUTERS/Mark Baker/Files
Picture Supplied by Action Images
Over the years, the Springboks and the All Blacks have dished up some memorable clashes, but recently, they have been memorable for reasons the men in green and gold would rather forget.
But during Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash in Wellington, the Boks pulled off an epic upset, beating the World Champions in a tense clash.
Like most visitors to the Land of the Long White Cloud have discovered, a drubbing is almost always on the cards. They are, after all, facing up to the world champions, the number one team on the planet and the most dominant force in the sport… all in the same 80 minutes.
We’ve got some other memorable wins
Most memorable Springbok wins against the All Blacks
South Africa 40 – 26 New Zealand, Ellis Park 2004
Having endured a losing streak which stretched from 2001 to 2004 against the All Blacks, a Marius Joubert hat-trick inspired Jake White’s men to a dominant victory at what had a fortress. They went on to clinch their second Tri-Nations title in what became a turnaround year.
South Africa 22 – 18 New Zealand, Millenium Stadium 1999
These two sides met at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff in the 1999 world cup in an encounter neither of them would have hoped to be involved in, the 3rd/4th place play-off. The scoreline was flattering as the Kiwi’s did not bother to show up. Having beaten the Boks both home and away in the Tri-Nations that year, the All Blacks were favourites but they were easily dispatched by Nick Mallet’s men.
New Zealand 29 – 32 South Africa, Hamilton 2009
Pieter de Villiers’ side capped off a successful year by clinching their third Tri-Nations title to add to their series win against the British and Irish Lions earlier in the year. This would be the last time the Boks beat the All Blacks in their backyard.
New Zealand 3-13 South Africa, Wellington 1998
Wellington witnessed a very rare occasion where the Kiwis were kept quiet on their home turf to the point of failing to cross the whitewash. En route to their first Tri-Nations triumph, Nick Mallett’s Boks had opened their account in the competition with a close win against the Wallabies in Perth, and they made it two wins on the road with a 13-3 win in Wellington, with Pieter Rossouw grabbing the only try in the game.
New Zealand 28 – 30 South Africa, Dunedin 2008
South Africa ended an 87-year wait for their first victory in Dunedin. It was a moment of inspiration from scrumhalf Ricky January who scored a brilliant individual try in the dying minutes to clinch victory for the Springboks.
South Africa 15 – 12 New Zealand, Ellis Park 1995
Perhaps the Boks’ most famous victory ever, with even a Hollywood movie made about it (they got the celebrations all wrong, by the way). The All Blacks came into the Rugby World Cup final as champions, with an intimidating figure in the late Jonah Lomu having just showcased how devastating a runner he could be in the semi-final against England – hello Mike Catt.
The Springboks, on the other hand, went in on the back of a close shave against France in rainy Durban. The home side triumphed 15-12 after extra time in a victory which had great political significance.
