Rugby World Cup 1995: Where were YOU on this day 30 years ago?

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Every South African rugby fan will be able to recall where he or she was on this day 30 years ago as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Provided you were born of course, 24 June 1995 will forever stick in the memory bank as Francois Pienaar accepted the trophy from Nelson Mandela following a nail-biting extra-time victory over the All Blacks.

Personally, I watched the match at friend’s house then headed to that infamous watering hole in Claremont called ‘Green Man’ (remember it?) where they rescreened the Test. We drank beer, we drank more beer, and then around 05:00 the next morning they kicked us out.

There are also vague recollections of street lights being climbed and flags stolen along Main Road in Rondebosch, but that might just have been the beer talking …

Where you YOU that memorable day?

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FLASHBACK

On this day 30 years ago Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal as the Springboks beat the All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

It was the first of a record four Rugby World Cup titles for the Springboks, who would go on to win the 2007 World Cup in France under captain John Smit and coach Jake White, the 2019 edition in Japan with Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus as skipper and coach, respectively, as well as the 2023 tournament in France with Kolisi and Jacques Nienaber at the helm.

Anyone betting against the Springboks making it a hat-trick of titles – and five overall – in 2027 in Australia?

That day – Saturday, 24 June 1995 – remains arguably the greatest ever sporting occasion in South Africa’s history.