On 20 October 2007, the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time with victory over defending world champions England in Paris.

Jake White’s Class of ’07 was a golden generation. While a few veterans remained in the team – notably prop Os du Randt, who played in their 1995 triumph, and fullback Percy Montgomery – the majority of the squad were in the prime of their careers.

Captain John Smit led a pack that included one of the all-time great lock combinations in Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, while flanks Juan Smith and Schalk Burger would be in serious contention for a Team of the Decade.

In the backline, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez had taken on the mantle of the great Joost van der Westhuizen with aplomb and speedster Bryan Habana scored eight tries in the tournament.

Montgomery kicked four penalties to go with a monster three-pointer from a 19-year-old Frans Steyn, while 2003 World Cup drop-goal hero Jonny Wilkinson booted a double for England, as the Boks claimed the sport’s biggest prize with a 15-6 victory in the finale at the Stade de France.

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