Boks draw on 2019 ‘hiccup’ for inspiration to go all the way in 2023

In 2019, the Springboks made history by becoming the first nation to win a Rugby World Cup after losing a pool stage match. And, following Saturday night’s 13-8 loss to Ireland in Paris in the pool stages, they are confident they can repeat history and lift the Webb Ellis Cup again.

Jacques Nienaber’s team will now have to win their last pool game against Tonga on Sunday to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. At the same time, they will keep tabs on how Scotland play as they have two matches left in the pool — against Romania on Saturday and against Ireland in their last pool game on October 7.

Like in Japan four years ago, there’s no room for error for the Boks, and every match from now on will be a final for them.

During the post-match conference after the loss to Ireland, Nienaber was asked if the Boks could still win the World Cup.

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“Ja, we can still (win it),” Nienaber replied.

“I mean in 2019 did you think we could win the World Cup after we lost to New Zealand? You have to (believe).

“Everybody is in this competition to win and teams that lose a game in the pool stages must work hard to get out of the pools. So definitely, we can still win it.”

Banking on experience

The position that the Boks find themselves in is one which most of the players are familiar with; the core of the squad was there in Japan when they defied the odds.

Captain Siya Kolisi is banking on their experience from 2019 to carry them through in France.

“We are always prepared for any scenario, and we speak openly and honestly,” said Kolisi.

“We knew this pool was going to be tough. We’ve been in the same position before, we’re not going to shy away from it.

“The last time we lost a game the message was, ‘don’t be down for long, it’s not going to help anything’. The quicker you get over it, the better it is for the group.”