The Springboks were crowned the undisputed 2023 Rugby World Cup champions, and their monumental run will be written down in the history books as one of the greatest triumphs of all time.
South Africa achieved a historic feat when they won their record fourth Rugby World Cup trophy after beating their biggest nemesis the All Blacks in a pulsating final, winning the match by a narrow 12-11 margin at the Stade de France in Paris, two months ago.
It was not the first time in the tournament where they won a match by one point and had South Africans across the globe sitting on the edge of their seats. The first time was against France in a thrilling goal-fest quarterfinal clash, when they produced a narrow 29-28 victory over the hosts.
The second one-point winner came against England in what was called a “smash and grab” semifinal encounter. The Springboks orchestrated a dramatic second half comeback against the English and came out top with a 16-15 win.
The final was as equally pulsating, as the Siya Kolisi-led mighty Boks produced yet another one-point win and showed the All Blacks who the bosses were by lifting the Webb Ellis cup.
Kolisi became the second captain to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles after former New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw, who lifted the trophy in 2011 and 2015.
It goes without saying that the entire Boks squad contributed immensely to the team’s success as everyone who came on to the field of play had an impact.
But some of the stand-out players were Mannie Libbock, Handre Pollard, Ox Nche, Eben “Elizabedi” Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and the “jockey master” Faf de Klerk.
After it was all said and done in Paris, the Boks were given a heart-warming hero’s welcome by exuberant fans at the OR Tambo International Airport.
That was the day that De Klerk flaunted around with his famous underwear throughout the trophy parade.
The Boks’ conquest also came in handy for all South Africans in so many ways, as President Cyril Ramaphosa declared December 15 a public holiday. Jacques Nienaber couldn’t have asked for a better send-off, as he bid farewell and stepped down as the Boks coach in style.
