'Springboks have made England their little b*%#* at World Cups'
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.
Amazingly, the 2023 semifinal was the first time the Springboks named an unchanged matchday 23 for consecutive games since 2018. This spoke volumes for the consistency in the World Champions' performances leading up to and including the 2023 World Cup. There's been a special level of mutual trust in the camp between technical staff and players, culminating in glory in Paris.
The William Webb Ellis trophy isn't for everyone. South Africa has four titles, the most of any nation. France and England share the dubious honour of having lost the most finals, three apiece. Is England the biggest choker in history? The Springboks got the better of them in 2023's verve-jangling semi-final after eventually defeating France 29-28 in what will go down as one of rugby's greatest-ever matches. For what it's worth, the Springboks have never lost a final.
Rassie took the Boks back from the brink Siyamthanda Kolisi in Cape Town. Image: David Harrison / AFP
What's the next hurdle for the Springboks?
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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