Who are the biggest Rugby World Cup chokers?
Who are the biggest World Cup chokers? Spoiler alert, it's not the Springboks!
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.
As former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse told Sky Sports some years ago, growing up in South Africa with rugby as your sport of choice brought hopes of playing against one team: The All Blacks.
'We grow up in a nation where there's one game that we all hoped to one day play, and that's a Test match against the All Blacks,' Willemse said.
'I think this game captures the essence of sport: mutual respect, understanding, sportsmanship and gratitude. It's all those amazing virtues that have been captured through a big rugby rivalry.
'It represents a lifetime of dreams, hopes, and beliefs. It all culminates in that moment; that is what it has meant to me to play against the All Blacks.
'Arguably the greatest derby in world rugby. There is a lifelong tradition between the two teams, and there is a tremendous amount of respect.'
Who are the biggest chokers, in your eyes?
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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