Former Springboks and Sharks rugby coach weighs in on South Africa World Cup triumph

THE Springboks made history on Saturday after beating the All Blacks to record the fourth Rugby World Cup title.

It was also their third successive nail-biting one-point victory in the playoffs.

After the game, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber dedicated the victory to the millions of Springbok fans in South Africa.

“This is for our fans and for South Africa. I wish I could show you the number of messages and videos of what was going on in South Africa. I think there was 62-million people who united behind us.

During the World Cup, Northglen News spoke to rugby coaches, former Boks and fans of the game about their expectations and love for the game.

Not only did they share their predictions on who was going to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy but they also gave us some insight into their perfect rugby snacks, their favourite World Cup memories and where the best spot to watch the Boks play is.

For this week’s edition, we went back to the legends to have a word with them on how the Springboks’ campaign played out and their thoughts on the final.


Our Lady of Fatima educator, current Sharks Women’s Rugby Team player and former Springbok Women’s player, Karthy Dludla.

“After the game against France, I said to myself, I love my team, but there is no way we are going to win this World Cup. The following week, we played England, and they played exactly the way we expected them to play. They really gave us no chance and used every opportunity they had to put pressure on the scoreboard. The win we got there was a complete miracle. Then, coming to the finals, I was very sceptical as New Zealand looked impressive throughout the pool stages and knockout phases. Even with the 7/1 split on our bench, I felt it would be tough against the All Blacks. However, our Springboks dug deep to go the extra mile to lift the trophy. They did not disappoint; even if New Zealand played the whole match with 15 men, we would still have beaten them. There are no words that can describe the feeling and emotion I’m experiencing right now after this World Cup campaign and final. There is just joy and immense pride in our boys. This World Cup, the Springboks kept us on the edge of our seats, and here we are back-to-back Champions and four-time World Cup winners.”

Former Sharks player and coach, Grant Bashford

“I think the campaign thus far has been exactly what I expected due to the draw. They have been tested to the limit but have shown massive resolve to come from behind in their last couple of outings and earn their place in the final. It certainly hasn’t been an easy run, and it has shown that this Springbok team knows how to win. Winning becomes a habit, and the Boks certainly have learned how to win. They were brave in selection, got tested early with Bongi’s injury, struggled in the line-outs, played against a desperate NZ team, but still found a way to win. People will talk about the All Blacks only having 14 men for most of that game, but to be honest, that doesn’t matter for me. There are many examples in rugby of 14-men teams achieving the impossible, and I clearly remember a historical victory for the Sharks against the Crusaders where we beat them in Christchurch with 14 men. We need to salute our Boks for the character they have shown just to reach the final and applaud them for bringing the Webb Ellis back to South Africa. They had the hardest route to the final but found a way to deliver. Viva Bokke!”

Former Sharks and Springboks player, Keegan Daniel

“What a World Cup for the Boks! We certainly found ourselves in an exceptionally tough draw, especially in the latter half of the competition. We played the top teams in the world, and for the team to be able to win games by one point and fight back just shows what kind of team they are. I think champion teams find a way to win, and that’s what the Boks did. I’m so proud of Siya and the team – it’s an incredible feat to win back-to-back World Cup titles. It also goes to show what a great job Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have done. I think we can be incredibly proud of what this team has achieved. Siya’s message about our resilience as a nation just resonated with me. This victory and triumph goes a long way to bring a bit of joy and hope to everyone. It has been an incredible World Cup to watch. What a great day for the country; what a great day for the Springboks – just really, really proud of the boys.”

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