With the Springboks and Wallabies over a week away from trading blows in the Rugby Championship, we rewind to the 1995 World Cup when South Africa beat defending champions Australia in Cape Town.
It was a momentous day in the Republic as the third Rugby World Cup edition opened at Newlands where the hosts – appearing in the tournament for the first time – upstaged the holders.
With the late President Nelson Mandela in attendance, the Boks beat the more fancied Wallabies 27-18 with memorable tries from Pieter Hendriks and Joel Stransky.
Hendriks was responsible for the Boks’ opening try, rounding Wallaby great David Campese, before Stransky notched a try, four penalties, a drop goal and a conversion in front of a capacity crowd of 55,000.
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Wallabies skipper Michael Lynagh famously said post-match: “It felt as if we were playing the whole of South Africa. We lost, but it was great to be part of a wonderful occasion.”
The Boks would eventually beat the All Blacks in the final at Ellis Park to win the tournament.
Springboks – 15 Andre Joubert, 14 James Small, 13 Japie Mulder, 12 Hennie le Roux, 11 Pieter Hendriks, 10 Joel Stransky, 9 Joost van der Westhuizen, 8 Rudolf Straeuli, 7 Ruben Kruger, 6 Francois Pienaar (c), 5 Hannes Strydom, 4 Mark Andrews, 3 Balie Swart, 2 James Dalton, 1 Os du Randt.
Wallabies – 15 Matt Pini, 14 Damian Smith, 13 Daniel Herbert, 12 Jason Little, 11 David Campese, 10 Michael Lynagh (c), 9 George Gregan, 8 Tim Gavin, 7 David Wilson, 6 Willie Ofahengaue, 5 John Eales, 4 Rod McCall, 3 Ewen McKenzie, 2 Phil Kearns, 1 Dan Crowley.
