07-05-2025
10 elite Springboks started the 2019 AND 2023 Rugby World Cup finals
The Springboks defended their Rugby World Cup crown in 2023. But do you know the 10 players who started the final in 2019 in Japan and the 2023 final in Paris?
Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Siyamthanda Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are the men in question. It points to a seriously impressive level of continuity that 66.6% of those who started in Yokohama also started in the showpiece four years later in the French capital.
Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit completed 28 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2023 showpiece. To put that absurd number into some type of context, the previous record for tackles made by one player in a Rugby World Cup final was 18 by Richie McCaw back in 2011. To eclipse that mark by 10 is a monumental effort. Collectively, the Springboks made 208 tackles in the final, the most ever in a knockout match at the RWC World Cup. The tireless PSDT makes another tackle. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
The William Webb Ellis trophy isn't for everyone. Here's the honours roll of all champions and the team they vanquished that year. 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
Rassie took the Boks back from the brink
Who is your favourite player ever to represent the Springboks?
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