SOUTH AFRICA’S UNPRECEDENTED RECORD FOURTH RUGBY WORLD CUP WIN GOES FAR BEYOND SPORTING EXCELLENCE – IT WAS A STUDY IN FUTURE PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, LEADERSHIP AND MENTALITY.



South Africa’s record fourth World Cup title was a seminal moment for the game in the country and highlighted the huge strides forward rugby has made in igniting a passion for the game among supporters of all races.



In a country struggling with an electricity crisis, economic downturn, high unemployment, crime and corruption, the Springboks’ 12-11 World Cup final win over New Zealand provided a rare chance to celebrate.



But the win goes far beyond sporting excellence and those who spearheaded it hope it can be a blueprint for success in all walks of South African life.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60650" style="width:797px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 04: Fans during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 04, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


The sight of thousands of adoring supporters lining the streets to see the team on their trophy tour in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, was particularly striking given how rugby was once perceived to be the sport of the white Afrikaner during apartheid.



Those scenes were replicated across the country and showcase not only the love and admiration supporters have for the side, but also the deep respect for an unprecedented achievement.



The Springboks became the first team to lift the World Cup trophy on four occasions and the win was achieved with much more than skill and physical prowess alone, it was a study in future planning, organization, leadership and mentality. No team has had a harder path to victory, with South Africa meeting each of the other top six sides in the world rankings on their road to the trophy.



One point wins over hosts France, a dogged England and old foes New Zealand in the knockout stages was a test of their character as well as skillset.



Former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky kicked the winning drop-goal in extra-time when the side lifted their first World Cup title in front of a beaming Nelson Mandela in 1995.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="699" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60649" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-768x524.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 03: Siya Kolisi during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 03, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


He was in France in a broadcast role and got to see the side operate at close quarters. He explains to FORBES AFRICA in an exclusive interview the secret to their success.



“That tough mentality is born from a few things,” Stransky says. “It comes from the huge effort that goes into what they do, a team spirit and genuine love for each other, and a burning desire to succeed. This team has a wonderful culture. “They work their socks off for each other and leave no stone unturned in preparation for every match. They also have that South African never-say-die attitude where they find a way to win games that other teams cannot. They are an exceptional bunch.”



Eloquent captain Siya Kolisi is a hugely-respected figure in the game around the world and in the aftermath of their victory spoke at length about the unity within the side and the fact that their diversity, with players coming from such different backgrounds, is what binds them together.



“We are a diverse and beautiful team from all walks of life. This trophy is for those who come from tough, disadvantaged areas,” Kolisi said.



“For the kid who needs to know that while things are tough for you, and you can’t afford school fees, you have no shoes to walk to school and no food at home, you can make something out of your life. Even when the situation does not look hopeful.



“We come from those backgrounds, this team represents everybody. We want people to say, ‘who can I look to that has made it from this situation’, and that is us. You can look at this team.”



It was a sentiment echoed by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, whose upbringing could not have been more different than Kolisi’s, but whose mentality is the same.



“It feels very uniting,” he said. “It is not our trophy, it is everyone in South Africa’s trophy. We might be 33 players (in the World Cup squad), but our driving force is the people of South Africa and we couldn’t have done it without them.”



Kolisi is the undisputed captain of the side but as Stransky points out, successful teams are made up of leadership groups, whose own perspectives and experiences are valued and listened to too.



“In every team you have lots of leadership, especially in the national set-up because there are lots of guys who captain other (club) sides and are natural leaders.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60050" style="width:836px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, lifts the The Webb Ellis Cup following the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


“But at the top of the leadership group you are still a proper, genuine captain who is respected and loved by everyone and Siya is that guy.



“As a human being he is just the most amazing guy. He is obviously thorough in his preparation and training, but as a human being he is sensational, and that is why they will follow him to the ends of the earth.”



The world may love Kolisi, but the Springboks are not universally admired despite their success and drew criticism during the tournament for what was viewed as a dour style of rugby and a controversial use of a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench.



The criticism leveled at them is that they are all power and no finesse, and that does not make for an entertaining product for fans.



“Well done to South Africa, the best at not playing rugby,” screamed a headline in New Zealand Herald, while pundits shouted loudly about the bench being against the spirit of the game, and the need to depower scrums, a major weapon of the Springboks.



“When we look back at it in 20 years’ time, no one is going to say, ‘what was the style of play that day’,” Stransky says. “Where our coaching team has been exceptional is that they have looked at the laws of the game and the areas where the referees are focussing on.



“They have said, ‘these are our strengths, so how can we be at our best inside the parameters of the laws’. They have picked horses for courses and played a different game-plan against different opposition when required.”



Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and departing head coach Jacques Nienaber had to think out of the box after losing key hooker Malcolm Marx early in the tournament, making the inspired decision to bring in flyhalf Handré Pollard as his replacement. He had missed out in the original squad due to a calf injury.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="724" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60047" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28: Kurt-Lee Arendse (L) and Damian Willemse of South Africa celebrate their win in the changing rooms following dthe Rugby World Cup France 2023 Gold Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


There were question marks over the kicking accuracy of Manie Libbok and given that Pollard was successful with all 13 of his kicks at goal, including difficult shots in the knockout rounds, it was perhaps the key decision from the coaching team that led to the win.



But it meant flanker Deon Fourie had to cover at hooker, a position he had not played in five years and never at test level.



His is a remarkable story, having been the oldest Springbok debutant in history at the age of 35 in July 2022. He played 77 minutes of the final in the front row of the scrum after an early injury for starter Bongi Mbonambi and ended up as captain of the side with Kolisi off the field at the final whistle.



“If you had told me two years ago that I would be standing here with a World Cup winner’s medal, I would’ve laughed and said you are smoking some weird stuff,” Fourie says.



“That emotion you saw after the whistle was relief. The last three weeks (of the tournament), winning by one point, it was stressful. Grafting it out at the end.



“There was relief, then happiness, and finally disbelief that I was on the field and winning a World Cup.”



Players like Fourie will inevitably step aside, some immediately and others in a year or two as the team builds towards the next tournament in Australia in 2027. It is the inevitable nature of a World Cup cycle and key for the Springboks will be maintaining their edge through this process.



“I see huge change coming,” Stransky says. “It will be a huge rebuilding process. In that starting line-up (in the final against New Zealand), I counted maybe five or six players who will be at the next World Cup.



“There are others in the squad who will slot in but there are also a lot of empty spaces where we will need to bring in youngsters and build a new team around some of the older hands. It will be a period of transition.”



What the Springboks have achieved is difficult to illustrate fully. Only four teams have won the World Cup in history, and no-one else has done it four times.



But aside from their on-field excellence, it is also their relatability that sets them apart. This is a team without egos, who show that hard work and unifying behind a common goal can bring the ultimate rewards.



“As a team, we want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they’ll get hope from this team,” Kolisi said.



“This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African, and we showed what is possible with this diverse team. “I hope that going forward in business, in everyday life, that we understand that the team only won because we decided to put our different cultures and differences aside and focus on the country. I think that’s the most important thing.”

New Zealand v South Africa: Final – Rugby World Cup France 2023

ROAD TO THE TROPHY: ‘This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African’

In an electrifying match that had the world on the edge of its seat, South Africa&#8217;s Springboks made history by clinching their fourth Rugby World Cup title. Defeating the formidable New Zealand All Blacks 12-11, the Springboks claimed the Web Ellis Cup for the fourth time.



On October 28, 2023, the Springboks etched their names into the annals of rugby history. For the first time ever, a team hoisted the coveted Webb Ellis Cup four times. The moment was profound, and its ripple effect was felt far beyond the walls of Paris&#8217;s Stade de France. South Africa defeated New Zealand 12-11 in a nail-biting battle for rugby supremacy, marking their fourth win in the history of the Rugby World Cup.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="700" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762438181.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60048" style="aspect-ratio:1.4628571428571429;width:654px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762438181.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762438181-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762438181-768x525.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Julian Finney &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


In 80 tense minutes that could have gone either way, South Africa displayed a level of intensity that was palpable from the get-go. Leading 6-0 just 13 minutes into the game thanks to two penalty goals from flyhalf Handre Pollard, the Springboks signaled their intent early. The All Blacks notched their own penalty goal in the 17th minute, but Pollard&#8217;s third penalty four minutes later kept South Africa ahead; by halftime, the Boks led 12-6.



The New Zealand All Blacks left no room for complacency. Despite being a man down for much of the game due to red cards and injuries, they nearly clinched it. Their first try was disallowed due to a clear knock-on, but when Beauden Barrett scored the first valid try of the match, the tension was almost unbearable.



However, South Africa managed to hold their lead during the All Blacks&#8217; sensational second-half performance, driving the Springboks constantly back toward the try-line but never quite managing to cross it again. By the final bell, South Africa had clinched the victory by a single point.



South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was on the sidelines of the match itself and joined the team to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup. His office congratulated the team in a statement: &#8220;Stronger Together is a belief that came to life for Springbok supporters all around our country, continent, and the world. Sport has the power to transform lives and lift the spirits of entire nations.&#8221; The President also extended his congratulations to New Zealand for a hard-fought campaign, calling them &#8220;deserving finalists.&#8221;



In South Africa, fans swarmed public venues like the Durban International Conference Centre and Montecasino, many of which reached full capacity hours before kickoff. &#8220;Tonight, Siya Kolisi and the 2023 World Cup champions have gifted us an extraordinary, inspired, and inspiring national achievement that lifts our hearts and hoists our flag even higher,&#8221; President Ramaphosa added.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60050" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, with Springboks. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


This win has lifted the gloom of a nation plagued by corruption, power outages, and social strife, allowing South Africans, for a moment, to dare to dream again. &#8220;We found a way,&#8221; said Springbok Captain Kolisi in the post-match interview, still breathless from the game. &#8220;Honestly, I don’t think people not from South Africa understand what this means for our country… Our country goes through a lot, and we are that glimmer of hope that they have.&#8221;


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="724" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60047" style="aspect-ratio:1.4143646408839778;width:462px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Julian Finney &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


As the dust settles on this monumental victory, one thing is abundantly clear: the Springboks have done more than win a tournament; they&#8217;ve won the hearts of a nation desperate for unity and triumph. And that, perhaps, is the greatest victory of all.

South Africa’s Springboks Make History with Fourth Rugby World Cup Win: A Nation Rejoices

In a dramatic Rugby World Cup semi-final, the Springboks edged out England 16-15. Fueled by unity and last-minute heroics from Handré Pollard, the South African team are now gearing up for a highly-anticipated final against their arch-rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks.



In a stunning display of resilience, skill, and unity, the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, clinched a nail-biting victory over England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final on October 21, 2023. Thanks to a last-minute penalty kick from Handré Pollard, the Springboks demonstrated that their journey to the final was far from a fluke. Their 16-15 win over England was a nerve-wracking affair, with Pollard&#8217;s kick ensuring the Springboks&#8217; entry into the final.



&#8220;In a tournament that began back in September, the dedication and unity of the Springboks have been nothing short of extraordinary. The path you’ve walked is not a sprint but a steady and relentless race. You have faced the world’s best with unparalleled speed, tenacity, and power,&#8221; said Herbert Mensah, the newly-elected President of Rugby Africa, in a message addressed to Mark Alexander, President of the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU).


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1749831086.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59974" style="aspect-ratio:1.499267935578331;width:634px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1749831086.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1749831086-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1749831086-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> (Photo by Michael Steele &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


The Springboks had an arduous journey to the semi-finals, squaring off against some of the world&#8217;s top teams. Their performance was &#8220;extraordinary,&#8221; Mensah noted, emphasizing how the team &#8220;moves as one, whether on the field with seven, fifteen, or twenty-three players, or behind the scenes with the dedicated staff and medics.&#8221; This unity was not just apparent in their play, but also in how the players perceived their collective achievement.



Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi, discussing the match, reiterated that everyone involved in the team contributed to the victory. &#8220;In this team, we remind each other that if we are successful, we will say that South Africa won, not just the 23 who played,&#8221; he said in a post-match interview.



A key part of the Springboks&#8217; strategy was rotating their forwards and introducing crucial substitutes early into the second half. Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, and Bongi Mbonambi were standout performers, tipping the balance in favor of South Africa, particularly during scrums. These tactical adjustments allowed South Africa to mount a comeback after trailing England early on.



The final moments of the match were fraught with tension. With both teams performing at their peak, it was a touch kick that set the stage for RG Snyman&#8217;s 69th-minute try, leveling the playing field for the Springboks. This pivotal moment allowed Handré Pollard to make history with his match-winning penalty kick, reprising his heroics from the 2019 World Cup.



As the Springboks gear up for the final showdown against their old rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks, Herbert Mensah&#8217;s words resonate more than ever: &#8220;From the very beginning to the end, it is the enduring spirit of positivity that will see us through.&#8221;



The Springboks are set to face New Zealand’s All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final on October 28th.

Tag: Rugby World Cup 2023

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

ROAD TO THE TROPHY: ‘This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African’

South Africa’s Springboks Make History with Fourth Rugby World Cup Win: A Nation Rejoices

Springboks’ Last-Minute Triumph Sends Them to Rugby World Cup Final