The Springboks celebrate. Photo by AFP
Springboks’ MIND-BLOWING World Cup stat that should encourage South Africans
With three Rugby World Cup finals under the belt, the Springboks have seen it all and there’s one STATISTIC that sets them apart from all the other finalists.
The Springboks celebrate. Photo by AFP
Check out this incredible Rugby World Cup record — held by the Springboks — which could propel the South African Test team to another William Webb Ellis title this coming weekend.
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ARE THE SPRINGBOKS THE GREATEST WORLD CUP EVER?
Despite rugby union’s rich history, only five nations have ever made it to a World Cup final and they are the All Blacks (five times), Springboks, Wallabies and England (all four times), and France once.
But two things set the Springboks apart from their rivals.
The South African Test team has NEVER lost final before, having beaten New Zealand in 1995 and England in 2007 and 2019.
And the other stat, one that is infinitely better than the previous, is that the Springboks have NEVER conceded a try in Rugby World Cup.
Additionally, the South Africa have also never leaked more than 12 points in a final. They beat the All Blacks 15-12 in the 1995 final, defeated England 15-2 in 2007 and then thumped England 32-12 in 2019.
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SOUTH AFRICA V NEW ZEALAND: SETTING THE SCENE
The Springboks boast a perfect record in Rugby World Cup finals, with three titles won in three final appearances since South Africa’s readmission into the sport in 1994.
While the All Blacks have been crowned world champions thrice, they’ve made it to the final of the Rugby World Cup four times. They were beaten finalists in 1995 when the Springboks caused one of the biggest upsets to clinch the title in fairytale fashion.
On a personal note, Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi is in line to become just the second man ever to lead his nation to back-to-back World Cup titles, after Richie McCaw, who was the All Blacks’ title-winning captain in 2011 and 2015.
All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock could also become the first man to an unprecedented third World Cup winners’ medal, having been part of the all-conquering All Blacks squad in 2011 and 2015.
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