Latest news with #FrancoisPienaar
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
1995 Springbok replica jersey price: What you should expect to pay
NOSTALGIA The 1995 Springbok replica jersey, commemorates South Africa's first Rugby World Cup victory and features a modern tight-fit design with Nike branding, contrasting with the original's looser fit and lack of sponsors. Picture: AFP As the SA Rugby Union (Saru) announced new kit for the coming season, the standout was the 1995 replica Springbok jersey to commemorate the side's first Rugby World Cup victory 30 years later, to the day. On June 24, the Springboks won their first Rugby World Cup title on home soil at Ellis Park as they beat New Zealand in the final. It was a landmark victory that unified the new Rainbow Nation, with the iconic images seen of Francois Pienaar and SA President Nelson Mandela holding the Webb Ellis trophy aloft. Before it was the precedent for SA politicians, Mandela saw the significance of donning the Springbok jersey, which had previously been one synonymous with Apartheid.
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Beyond 1995: What is South Africa's real win?
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was historic, but the nation's real victory lies in overcoming centuries of division. South Africa captain Francois Pienaar holds aloft the Webb Ellis trophy as the rest of the team celebrate after their 1995 World Cup Final victory over New Zealand at Ellis Park on May 24, 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images) There have been few bright, shining moments in the history of our brutal, unequal country. Two of the brightest, though, came from sport, leading many to believe that, in a sports-crazed nation like South Africa, it was on the playing fields that society's unequal playing field would be levelled. The first magic moment was on 24 June, 1995 in the Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park stadium, when Joel Stransky's extra time drop put the nail in the All Blacks coffin for the most famous Springbok victory in history. The second was just under 15 years later, on 11 June, 2010, when Bafana Bafana striker Siphiwe Tshabalala's left boot rifled a shot past Mexico's goalkeeper to score the first goal in the first Fifa World Cup tournament on African soil. In those moments, we dreamed the impossible dream – and saw it come true. This week, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the triumph of Francois Pienaar's Boks, the euphoria of 1995 seems far off … and our current reality a nightmare more than a dream. ALSO READ: Weekly sports update: Proteas take on Zim, Springboks play Barbarians With each year that passes, 1995 and all that – Nelson Mandela, 'Rainbow Nation', 'Shosholoza', call it what you will – becomes less relevant. The majority of our population is under 30, which means they weren't even born when Madiba handed over the Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar. So, is it the case that the dream of greatness belongs only to the older generation? That may well be the case… but it could also be that it was a naïve, unrealistic dream in the first place. Overcoming more than three centuries of racebased oppression will not be achieved simply through the good vibes of a major sporting victory. It's going to take maturity, patriotism and compromise to heal our wounds. If we get even halfway there, it will be a win. NOW READ: 'They laid the foundation': Kolbe on 30th anniversary of 1995 World Cup win
The South African
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rugby World Cup 1995: Where were YOU on this day 30 years ago?
Every South African rugby fan will be able to recall where he or she was on this day 30 years ago as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Provided you were born of course, 24 June 1995 will forever stick in the memory bank as Francois Pienaar accepted the trophy from Nelson Mandela following a nail-biting extra-time victory over the All Blacks. Personally, I watched the match at friend's house then headed to that infamous watering hole in Claremont called 'Green Man' (remember it?) where they rescreened the Test. We drank beer, we drank more beer, and then around 05:00 the next morning they kicked us out. There are also vague recollections of street lights being climbed and flags stolen along Main Road in Rondebosch, but that might just have been the beer talking … Let us know by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. On this day 30 years ago Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal as the Springboks beat the All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It was the first of a record four Rugby World Cup titles for the Springboks, who would go on to win the 2007 World Cup in France under captain John Smit and coach Jake White, the 2019 edition in Japan with Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus as skipper and coach, respectively, as well as the 2023 tournament in France with Kolisi and Jacques Nienaber at the helm. Anyone betting against the Springboks making it a hat-trick of titles – and five overall – in 2027 in Australia? That day – Saturday, 24 June 1995 – remains arguably the greatest ever sporting occasion in South Africa's history. So, what has happened to the starting XV from that unforgettable 1995 final? Tragically, five of the run-on team have died, along with coach Kitch Christie. 15. Andre Joubert 14. James Small (RIP) 13. Japie Mulder 12. Hennie le Roux 11. Chester Williams (RIP) 10. Joel Stransky 9. Joost van der Westhuizen (RIP) 8. Mark Andrews 7. Ruben Kruger (RIP) 6. Francois Pienaar (captain) 5. Hannes Strydom (RIP) 4. Kobus Wiese 3. Balie Swart 2. Chris Roussow 1. Os du Randt SUBSTITUTES 16. Naka Drotske 17. Brendan Venter 18. Rudolph Straeuli 19. Johan Roux 20. Garry Pagel 21. Gavin Johnson Coach: Kitch Christie (RIP)
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Rugby World Cup 1995 I The Rainbow Nation's time to shine and not even Jonah Lomu could stop it
Victorous captain Francois Pienaar of teh 1995 Springboks led the country to our first Rugby World Cup by famously beating the All Blacks at Ellis Park On June 24. Photo: AFP Image: AFP When Sean Fitzpatrick woke up on the morning of the 1995 World Cup final, he parted the curtains of his hotel room in Sandton, Johannesburg, and his heart sank. Outside was a small army of South African fans, brandishing placards along the lines of 'This is our day, you are going to lose.' On the way to the match at Ellis Park, there was the chilling sight of fans with 'voodoo dolls' of the tournament's star performer, the blockbusting All Black wing Jonah Lomu. The dolls had ropes around their necks. Of course, these fans were extremists but that kind of behaviour summed up the passion that swept across South Africa. Rugby World Cup 1995 | In retrospective Image: Independent Media Fitzpatrick said in his autobiography that he understood that New Zealand were up against way more that the Springbok rugby team. This was a country that had emerged from sporting isolation only two years before and had just ventured into democratic elections, a seismic shift for the African continent and one of the most significant developments of the 20th Century. Fitzpatrick said that when he saw Nelson Mandela wearing Francois Pienaar's No 6 jersey, his heart sank still further. 'It felt like we were being set up,' Fitzpatrick said. 'The stars lined up for South Africa and we felt that that something bigger than rugby was happening in the country.' The Kiwis were, nevertheless, the strong favourites for the final. While the Boks had doggedly fought their way through their pool games, and the quarter and semi-finals, the All Blacks had obliterated all in front of them. Lomu was the juggernaut symbol of their team but they were way bigger and better than one man. Coached by Laurie Mains, the Kiwis had been building towards this Word Cup since losing their crown to Australia in 1991. They had won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, in New Zealand. They had strong form going into the '95 World Cup, momentum and a galaxy of stars. They had put almost 150 points past Japan in a pool game and smashed tournament favourites England in their semi-final. Few thought the Boks had a chance but the atmosphere in Ellis Park that day leveled the playing field. Before kick-off, helicopters circled the ground, displaying the flags of the 16 competing nations, but that was just a warm up. A jumbo jet was on its way and when it roared over the ground, Fitzpatrick's dread sank into his boots.
Daily Maverick
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Lessons from the field — how sports can inspire South Africa's government
The shroud of inequality in race, education, employment, location, wealth, etc, etc, will continue to smother South Africa, unless the government and so many politicians of influence shed their egotistical craving for another term in office, wealth and self-importance. When will they learn? When will the government follow the extraordinary example of the Springbok rugby and Protea cricket teams? Rugby and cricket are proof that we can have an integrated society (a Rainbow Nation) in South Africa. South Africa are world champions in two major TEAM SPORTS. SA rugby in the heady days of our new democracy grew through the extraordinary leadership of Francois Pienaar, Morne du Plessis and Kitch Christie through to the incredible leadership of Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi, with so many others in support. This is more than sport; it is a movement that can be celebrated, but more importantly, followed to the letter. Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad have now taken cricket to the same level of importance, with different leadership styles yet the same qualities. Cricket took a longer route, having to navigate the disastrous Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal. The South African government and officials must openly and judiciously navigate their corruption scandals and the Zondo Commission. Without open and ruthless justice, this country cannot move forward. Fortunately for Cricket SA, Sean Pollock picked up the pieces, post-Hansie, with dignity, grace and commitment and put us back on track. The government of national unity (GNU) MUST do the same. Team sports require discipline, sacrifice, collaboration, learnt skills, teamwork, communication, leadership and resilience. These sports foster social relationships, boost self-esteem and improve mental health. Furthermore, athletes develop important qualities like respect, accountability and a strong work ethic. Can the GNU government and coalitions understand that, as the national teams play for their country and every person, so should they? Our political leaders need to shed their so-called importance of position or party and release South Africa to all its glory. The people of South Africa are crying out for this, and we can play our part. DM
