1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa | Historical moment

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup, and was hosted by South Africa. It was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country, and was also the first World Cup in which South Africa was allowed to compete, having been readmitted to international rugby in 1992 following the end of apartheid. The tournament was a huge success, with over 938,000 people attending the matches. The final, between South Africa and New Zealand, was watched by an estimated 600 million people worldwide. South Africa won the match 15-12, with Joel Stransky scoring the winning drop goal in extra time.

Watershed moment for South Africa

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a watershed moment for South Africa, and helped to unite the country after decades of division. It also helped to popularize rugby union around the world, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting events of all time.

1995 Rugby World Cup highlights

Here are some of the key moments from the tournament:

• The opening ceremony was a spectacular event, attended by Nelson Mandela. Mandela wore a Springboks jersey and cap, which was seen as a powerful symbol of reconciliation.
• The tournament was marked by some incredible individual performances. Jonah Lomu of New Zealand was a revelation, scoring 15 tries in just seven matches.
• The final was a thrilling contest, with South Africa coming from behind to win 15-12. The winning drop goal from Joel Stransky was one of the most iconic moments in rugby history.
• For England this tournament wasn’t a huge success. After losing the final in 1991, they lost in 1995 in the semi-final with 45-29 against New Zealand.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a truly special event, and its legacy continues to be felt today. It was a moment when sport played a vital role in uniting a nation, and it helped to popularize rugby union around the world.