Rugby World Cup 1995 I On this day: Chester Williams shines for Springboks, Ireland wilt once more in quarter-finals
Image: AFP
Ireland's inability to advance past World Cup quarter-finals is fresh in our minds after their dramatic exit at the hands of New Zealand in 2023, but it is hardly anything new.
When the men from the Emerald Isle lost 36-12 to France on this day in 1995, it was their third consecutive exit at the last-eight stage of a World Cup. Mind you, there had been only two previous World Cups — the tournament was launched in 1987.
So, the trend of Ireland losing quarter-finals was entrenched from the word go and to this day they have not got the monkey of their backs.
Rugby World Cup 1995 | In retrospective
Image: Independent Media
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Truly not much has changed because, like 2023, the 1995 Ireland team looked strong in the pool games. They had given the imperious All Blacks a fright in one game, had been explosive against Wales in another, only to fizzle out against France.
The game was played at Kings Park in Durban and proved to one of the tournament's less memorable affairs. The French looked disinterested and Ireland were flat. The first half ended 12-12, with centre Thierry Lacroix kicking four penalties and Irish flyhalf Eric Elwood matching him.
The huge French pack was in complete control, especially in the line-outs where Oliver Roumat and Abdelatif Benazzi ruled the air. The Irish buckled as Lacroix landed another four penalties before late tries were scored by captain and wing Phillippe Saint-Andre and fellow wing Emile Ntamack.
On the same day but up on the Highveld at Ellis Park, the Springboks hosted Western Samoa in a ferocious match. Like Canada had done in Gqeberha, the Samoans understood that they could not beat the Boks in a fair contest and played with scant regard for the laws, notably those governing tackling.
If this game had been played today, nearly all of the Samoa side would have been in the sin bin.
The match will be best remembered for Chester Williams celebrating his return to the Bok squad with four fine tries. The Black Pearl had been on course for the start of the World Cup but had suffered a hamstring injury in the Boks' warm-up game against none other than Western Samoa.
Williams was replaced in the squad by Pieter Hendriks. When the latter was suspended for his role in the Battle of Boet Erasmus, it opened the door for the recovered Williams to reclaim his spot.
Williams scored two tries in each half to write himself into the record books — no Springbok had ever scored that many tries in a Test match.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 minutes ago
- IOL News
Why it's folly to write off Manchester City's title chances after last season's blip
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City look ready to challenge for the Premier League crown again, combining fresh signings with experienced stars like Rodri and Erling Haaland. Photo: AFP Image: AFP While much of the speculation ahead of this weekend's kick-off of the English Premier League has focused on champions Liverpool's title defence and their massive spending spree, there has been little attention on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Most analysts seem to have written off the Citizens as title contenders, but given their recent history, that would be premature. City have won six Premier League titles since the Spaniard took over, including four successive wins from 2020 to 2024 — a first in the history of the EPL. The last time they surrendered the championship to the Reds, in the 2019/20 season, they bounced back emphatically to reclaim the title. It seems strange, then, that last season's runners-up Arsenal and Chelsea, who finished fourth, are more frequently listed among Liverpool's strongest potential title rivals — despite City finishing above Chelsea last season and just three points behind the Gunners. Chelsea are trading on their heroics at the Fifa Club World Cup, a competition where Pep's charges did not exactly cover themselves in glory. Arsenal are strongly tipped to finally shed their bridesmaids tag, with the addition of star striker Viktor Gyökeres seen as the missing piece of their puzzle. They have also strengthened in midfield and defence. The verdict from the independent commission on City's more than 100 financial charges is still pending, and that may be clouding people's judgement. Guardiola has seemingly been unhindered in the transfer market, with a host of quality signings including midfielder Tijjani Reinders from AC Milan, Wolves left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, winger Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyon, and Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford, as part of a long-overdue refresh of an ageing squad. Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne's exit has left a huge void in Pep Guardiola's team. Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP Among the high-profile exits was that of midfield icon Kevin De Bruyne, a key component of Pep's remarkable title run. His departure left a huge hole in Pep's team that may require both Reinders and Cherki to fill. The Etihad side still boasts plenty of quality players throughout the squad, including defensive midfield lynchpin Rodri. In fact, it was the Spanish ace's absence that was blamed for last season's woes. A fit and firing Rodri is still arguably among the best in his position in the world, and City fans will be hoping that his current injury absence will not be as damaging. Then there is Erling Haaland, who has taken the Premier League by storm with his goalscoring numbers since arriving in 2022. The lethal Norwegian striker, who has two Golden Boots already for the club, had a below-par last season by his lofty standards. He still finished on 22 league goals and will no doubt be fired up again to prove himself this campaign against a number of new rivals and old foes like Liverpool's Mo Salah, who was top scorer last season. Fellow forward Omar Marmoush also offers the perfect foil to Haaland, but Brazilian winger Savinho is said to be on his way out. Attacking midfielder Phil Foden will also have a point to prove at the Etihad after failing to reach the heights of previous campaigns. The arrival of Aït-Nouri has added defensive and attacking quality to a City backline boasting standout Josko Gvardiol among other established stars. The Frenchman fitted seamlessly into the City squad at the Club World Cup in the US. City also seem determined to hold on to their young stars and build for the future, having rejected bids for James McAtee and Argentine wonderkid Claudio Echeverri in this transfer window. If you add Pep's proven drive and tactical genius to the exciting blend of upcoming talent and established stars, as well as his ability to evolve his team's playing style, you have the makings of another potential title-winning campaign. Just like Liverpool's win last year, it would be one few would have seen coming.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Netball SA ‘running smoothly' despite controversy, says Diale
A 15-member national squad was announced on Monday for an upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia. With the sport facing controversy behind the scenes, Netball South Africa (NSA) acting president Mami Diale insists the players are not being affected as the national team gears up for two big series against the world's top-ranked sides over the next few months. In April, NSA president Cecilia Molokwane was suspended by World Netball, and though she was still indifinitely sidelined, it remained unclear why she was temporarily removed from her post. Diale said on Monday she could not provide any updates or information on Molokwane's situation, but she said NSA was ploughing ahead in her absence without any major hiccups. 'Netball has never stopped. The sport has been running through and through. We had a successful Telkom Netball League and a successful national championships where we had a lot of players who participated, along with our associate members, which is the schools,' Diale said. 'We are planning now for the (national) men's championships that will be happening from 31 August until 6 September, we have coaching workshops running throughout the country, and we have a partnership with Zimbabwe where we have committed as Netball South Africa to do development. 'So everything is running smoothly… and we are moving on, forwards and upwards.' Proteas gear up for tour Down Under Meanwhile, Proteas head coach Jenny van Dyk was eager to use the six Tests against New Zealand and Australia in September and October to prepare for next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 'This is a very important series for us to see exactly where we are at, playing against number one and two (Australia and New Zealand),' Van Dyk said after a 15-member national squad was announced for the tour Down Under. 'It's instrumental for us and I think the information we will get out of these six Test matches will definitely help us pinpoint all the work we need to get done with the Commonwealth Games in mind, leading into the (2027) World Cup.' A few players were unavailable for selection for the upcoming tour, including Karla Pretorius (taking a break at international level), Boitumelo Mahloko (injured) and Syntiche Kabuya, while U21 players were not considered as they were preparing for the World Youth Cup to be held in Gibraltar next month. In their absence, three uncapped players – defenders Entle Futshane, Nozipho Ntshangase and Juanita van Tonder – were called up. Proteas squad Khanyisa Chawane (c), Nichole Breedt, Entle Futshane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe, Juanita van Tonder, Jamie van Wyk, Sanmarie Visser
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Williams keeps feet grounded ahead of Springboks' Rugby Championship opener
Grant Williams will start at scrumhalf as the Springboks face Australia in their Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams is refusing to get carried away after being given the nod to start in the side's opening Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Cobus Reinach providing back-up on the bench. Morne van den Berg could consider himself unlucky to miss out, given the Lions player's standout performances in back-to-back Tests against Italy in the recent Incoming Series. The Boks also boast the talents and vast experience of Faf de Klerk and Williams' Sharks teammate, Jaden Hendrikse. Williams impressed in the second Test against Italy, combining well with flyhalf Manie Libbok, having recovered from a neck injury. They will again renew their burgeoning half-back partnership in a very attacking backline on Saturday. Damian Willemse will provide flyhalf cover. Asked whether he felt he was now in a position to make the Springbok No 9 jersey his own, Williams was diplomatic. 'We have a really good squad – Cobus, Morne, Faf, and Jaden as well. I think selection is just about how we want to play in the week. I can't really say that I want to make the No 9 jersey mine, but I would like to compete,' said Williams. Coach Rassie Erasmus reiterated that the jersey was a 'shared one'. 'I think we're really trying to build a culture where it's all three's jersey and hopefully just in the World Cup quarter-final, semi-final, and final we'll pick the best nine in form,' Williams said. 'Faf is not at all out of the picture and Jaden is not out of the picture. We know we normally carry four nines but, just for the sake of repetition and getting some one-on-one intel into players, we cut the squad a little bit. 'We know if you don't go four positions deep, maybe suddenly in one game you get two injuries in one position. So, they're competing and they don't want to just give the jersey away, but they also understand that we will rotate. He (Williams) got the nod in a very important match. The way we want to play in this game, we feel he is the best option there. But I think this squad has accepted now that we have to share jerseys and not say this guy is out-and-out the best.' Erasmus has named a strong team to face Australia, with the matchday squad featuring 18 Rugby World Cup winners. The Springboks will be hunting their fifth successive victory against the Wallabies.
