Rugby World Cup: Every winner since 1987
The William Webb Ellis trophy isn't for everyone. Here's the honours roll of all champions, including the back-to-back Springboks, and the team they vanquished. 1987: New Zealand beat France
beat France 1991: Australia beat England
beat England 1995: South Africa beat New Zealand
beat New Zealand 1999: Australia beat France
beat France 2003: England beat Australia
beat Australia 2007: South Africa beat England
beat England 2011: New Zealand beat France
beat France 2015: New Zealand beat Australia
beat Australia 2019: South Africa beat England
beat England 2023: South Africa beat New Zealand
The Springboks' nail-biting 16-15 win in the 2023 semi-final against England was the sixth Rugby World Cup meeting between the sides. South Africa won the 1999 quarter-final (44-21) in Paris; the pool game (36-0) and final (15-6) in 2007, also both in Paris; and the final (32-12) in Yokohama in 2019. England won the pool game in Perth in 2003 (25-6). The Springboks now boast an 83.33% win rate against their old foes at the world's biggest tournament, and two of those four wins have come in the match that matters most of all.
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The Storied Springboks vs All Blacks rivalry
The Springboks have an absolute scrummaging maestro in the shape of Retshegofaditswe Ox Nche. Can you spell and pronounce his name, though?
It's only fair that all South Africans know how to spell Retshegofaditswe and how to pronounce it. Here's the man himself to lend a hand. It's not rocket science either, so there's no excuse, seeing as though there are only 16 letters in the name. Meanwhile, Woolworths came to the party and offered the big man a year's supply of cake. Well deserved. As Ox said, salads don't win scrums.
Who will win the 2027 Rugby World Cup? Crazy that it's only two years away!
Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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