Stylish. Image: Esquire UK
THROWBACK: Nelson Mandela and his Springboks drip
Nelson Mandela will forever be synonymous with the moment Francois Pienaar’s Springboks lifted the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Stylish. Image: Esquire UK
The Springboks have had many influential Rugby World Cup fans down the years, but Nelson Mandela was certainly the greatest, and arguably the most stylish.
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NELSON MANDELA AND THE 1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP
The 1995 final will never be forgotten. Joel Stransky’s drop-kick settled the contest in extra time, producing a 15-12 scoreline to be forever etched in the hearts and minds of fanatical Bok supporters. As skipper Francois Pienaar said while clutching the William Webb Ellis trophy “We didn’t have 60,000 South Africans, we had 43 million South Africans.” Images of Pienaar alongside then-president Nelson Mandela still adorn walls across the land. This 1995 Bok kit was iconic, made to look even better by Madiba with the classic cricket-style cap. Undefeated.
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SPRINGBOKS PIVOTS: POLLARD OR STEYN?
What do Handrè Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they’ve both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard said the nerveless penalty in last year’s semi-final was the best strike of his career.
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Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of rugby.
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