South African Factfile
Posted: Thursday October 28, 1999 07:11 PM
| Milestones in History |
| Year |
Notes |
1862
1875
1889
1891
1896
1906
1924
1955
1984
1990
1995
|
Nickname: The Springboks
First recorded match in the Cape -- Civilians vs. Military.
First club is founded.
South African Rugby Football Board founded.
First tourists to South Africa from the British Isles.
First South African victory in an international against British. South Africa wore green --
its national colors.
First overseas tour -- Paul Roos captains the team to Britain. First coining of the nickname
'Springboks.'
First official British Lions tour visits South Africa.
First 100,000 crowd at a rugby match to see South Africa vs. British Isles at Ellis Park,
Johannesburg.
Last senior Tour to South Africa by major nation (England) until 1992 after world
exclusion of South Africa from all major sport because of apartheid regime.
New constitution in South Africa opens way for return to international sport.
Springboks win World Cup on home soil.
|
|
| World Cup Record |
| Year |
Notes |
1987
1991
1995
|
Did not participate
Did not participate
South Africa threw down the gauntlet by beating Australia in the opening game. It was
an important victory because it cleared the way to the final without meeting New
Zealand or England on the way. In the semifinals an incredible thunderstorm in Durban
threatened to end South Africa's dream. If the game against France had been cancelled
with no score, as very nearly happened, they would have gone out because they had a
worse disciplinary record than France. But the game was completed after a 90-minute
delay and they scraped home 19-15. New Zealand were expected to win the final but
with South Africa president Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok jersey, cheering them
on, it was to be South Africa's day in a 15-12 victory.
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Reuters contributed to this report.
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