Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
#RWC2019
20 September - 2 November
WorldRugby
Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2019 - Logo
Listen Live
  • RWC 2021
  • Matches
  • Video
  • Teams
  • World Cups
    • World Cups
    • New Zealand 2021
    • France 2023
  • Matches
  • News
  • Teams
  • Pools
  • Video
  • For the Fans
    • For the Fans
    • Experience Rugby World Cup
    • Predictor
    • Bar Finder
    • Greatest XV
    • #RWCEpicMoments
    • Tournament Bracket
    • Fanzones
  • Visit Japan
  • Tickets
  • Trophy Tour
  • Statistics
  • Classic
    • Classic
    • Qualifying
    • Archive
  • Media
  • Info
    • Info
    • Tournament Info
    • App
    • Official Store
    • Broadcasters
    • Match Ball Delivery
    • Impact Beyond
    • Childfund
    • Volunteers
    • Typhoon Hagibis
  • France 2023
Website language English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
WorldRugby
  • Tickets
  • Trophy Tour
  • Statistics
  • Classic
    • Classic
    • Qualifying
    • Archive
  • Media
  • Info
    • Info
    • Tournament Info
    • App
    • Official Store
    • Broadcasters
    • Match Ball Delivery
    • Impact Beyond
    • Childfund
    • Volunteers
    • Typhoon Hagibis
  • France 2023

  • Twitter @rugbyworldcup
  • Facebook @rugbyworldcup
  • YouTube World Rugby
  • Instagram @rugbyworldcup
  • Snapchat rugbyworldcup
RWC 2019 News
Latest News
Japan v Scotland - Rugby World Cup 2019: Group A
Rugby World Cup
Tue 15 June, 2021
Rugby World Cup revisited, Japan v Scotland: 80 minutes that recharged a nation
We caught up with Michael Leitch and Greig Laidlaw to discuss one of the most iconic matches from Rugby World Cup 2019.
Tue 15 June, 2021
The Open Side: Tendai Mtawarira
The Open Side
Thu 3 June, 2021
· 1m
The Open Side: Tendai Mtawarira on how the Springboks embraced diversity to win Rugby World Cup 2019
The Beast is the first guest on The Open Side, a new series of in-depth interviews and stories told by the people who were right at their centre.
Japan v Scotland - Rugby World Cup 2019: Group A
Rugby World Cup Memories
Wed 16 December, 2020
· 8m
10 classic men’s pool matches at Rugby World Cup
Following the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw, we look back at 10 of the best men’s pool matches from the archives.
England v Australia - Rugby World Cup 2019: Quarter Final
Rugby World Cup
Fri 11 December, 2020
· 4m
Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw: Most and least common fixtures in tournament’s history
Ahead of the official Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw in Paris on Monday, we take a look at the fixtures that have been played more than others — and those that have left fans wanting more.
Latest Videos
Press conference - World Rugby
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
Press conference - World Rugby
13:22 mins
Thu 12 May, 2022
A decade of Rugby World Cup hosts - Bill Beaumont
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
A decade of Rugby World Cup hosts - Bill Beaumont
USA 2031 and 2033 : United by Rugby
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
USA 2031 and 2033 : United by Rugby
England 2025 : Rugby World Cup
RWC Future Hosts
Thu 12 May, 2022
England 2025 : Rugby World Cup
Classic matches
Sat 25 April, 2020
· 2m

Watch LIVE rugby TODAY ... South Africa v New Zealand, RWC 1995

The World in Union
Presented By
Here's a teaser for this Saturday's live-streamed classic Rugby World Cup match – not that any rugby fan needs a second invitation to watch the final of Rugby World Cup 1995!
Share ?
Share
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied

It was the game that had everything – apart from tries.

The presence of rugby’s first global superstar, the great Jonah Lomu, a build-up mired in controversy, and the triumphant return of South Africa to the sporting arena as a country reborn, led by the inspirational Nelson Mandela. It's no wonder the final of Rugby World Cup 1995 transcends the sport and was the subject of Hollywood blockbuster, Invictus.

And the good news for rugby supporters is that they’ll be able to rewind the clock back a quarter of a century this Saturday and watch all the drama unfold once again, as the entire match will be streamed live on the official Rugby World Cup Facebook page and World Rugby's YouTube channel, complete with live blogging and commentary from those who were there that momentous day.

Lomu threat led to special measures

Having largely nullified the threat of Lomu by starving the giant winger of the ball and eliminating any space when he did get his hands on it, South Africa had disarmed the All Blacks of their most powerful weapon.

Nelson Mandela congratulating Francois Pienaar, South Africa's captain, on that historic home World Cup win, 1995. pic.twitter.com/GdWKg3uz3O

— History In Pictures (@HistoryInPics) December 7, 2013

“We were all sitting around one week before the final watching New Zealand’s earlier games in the tournament and wondering how we were going to play against this bloke,” recalled Springbok fly-half and match-winning hero, Joel Stransky. “To prove just how significant an influence he was, we changed our entire game plan to counter his presence and thankfully it worked.”

Andrew Mehrtens twice gave New Zealand the lead in the first half with penalties. But two penalties and a drop goal from Stransky saw South Africa lead 9-6 at half-time.

The tension was palpable inside a packed Ellis Park, and the second half proved to be tighter than the first with Mehrtens’ 55th-minute drop goal the only points scored.

With the scores locked at 9-9, the 1995 final became the first in the tournament’s short history to go to extra-time.

Mehrtens stepped up to slot a penalty and hand New Zealand the lead for the third time in the match. The 1987 champions looked to be in the ascendency.

However, this was never going to be a match to stick to the script. Stransky levelled the scores again with another penalty before applying the decisive blow seven minutes from time with a 30-metre drop goal.

16th man helps Boks make history

“It was just a phenomenal game. We could have won it before full-time and New Zealand could have won it before full-time and then we went into extra-time,” recalled winning captain Francois Pienaar.

“Playing at home definitely was an advantage. The crowd support was unreal and gave us that extra edge needed for a close match like that.”

Mandela presented the Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar wearing the same number six Springbok jersey, a picture that symbolised the new-found unity in South Africa and captured the imagination of the world.

The final classic Rugby World Cup match being shown by World Rugby this weekend is:

  •  Sunday, 26 April – RWC 1995 – Scotland v Samoa, 16:00 BST
Share ?
Share
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied
  • Matches
    #RWC2019
    Matches
  • Tickets
    #RWC2019
    Tickets
  • Teams
    #RWC2019
    Teams
  • Video
    #RWC2019
    Video
  • Visit Japan
    #RWC2019
    Visit Japan
  • Shop
    #RWC2019
    Shop
Most read this week More News
1
Press releases
Wed 15 November, 2017
World Rugby awards RWC 2023 to France
2
Rugby fundamentals
Sat 21 September, 2019
Stealing the ball: Three ways to force the turnover
3
team announcement
Mon 30 September, 2019
Three Barrett brothers start for New Zealand
4
Rugby fundamentals
Thu 26 September, 2019
Attacking structure: How pods gain the hard yards
5
Thu 15 November, 2018
Striking new logo and brand identity launched for Rugby World Cup 2023
6
News
Thu 24 October, 2019
Physio proud to be with Boks for the long stretch
7
RWC 2019
Fri 23 August, 2019
Experienced Wallabies squad named for Japan
8
News
Fri 18 October, 2019
What happens if a knockout match ends in a draw?
9
Match preview
Sun 6 October, 2019
New-look All Blacks can claim 31st straight pool win
10
Press releases
Mon 9 March, 2020
RWC 2019 sets new broadcast records and inspires new audiences
More News
Worldwide Partners
Rugby World Cup 2019
Rugby World Cup 2019 - Symbol

MATCHES

TEAMS

POOLS

STATISTICS

JAPAN

TICKETS

CLASSIC

Follow Rugby World Cup on social
  • Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Rugby World Cup