Francois Pienaar 1995 Rugby World Cup
South African rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar (R), is congratulated by South African President Nelson Mandela (L) after South Africa won the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand 24 June 1995 in Johannesburg. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE MULLER

Home » Flashback: On this day Joel Stransky drop-kicked Springboks to 1995 Rugby World Cup victory

Flashback: On this day Joel Stransky drop-kicked Springboks to 1995 Rugby World Cup victory

On this day 29 years ago flyhalf Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal to give the Springboks a 1995 Rugby World Cup victory.

Francois Pienaar 1995 Rugby World Cup
South African rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar (R), is congratulated by South African President Nelson Mandela (L) after South Africa won the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand 24 June 1995 in Johannesburg. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE MULLER

On this day 29 years ago flyhalf Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal to give the Springboks a 15-12 victory over the All Blacks at Ellis Park to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

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

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.

So, what has happened to the starting XV from that unforgettable 1995 final?

Tragically, five of the run-on team have died, along with coach Kitch Christie.

SPRINGBOK TEAM – 1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL

15. Andre Joubert

14. James Small (RIP)

13. Japie Mulder

12. Hennie le Roux

11. Chester Williams (RIP)

10. Joel Stransky

9. Joost van der Westhuizen (RIP)

8. Mark Andrews

7. Ruben Kruger (RIP)

6. Francois Pienaar (captain)

5. Hannes Strydom (RIP)

4. Kobus Wiese

3. Balie Swart

2. Chris Roussow

1. Os du Randt

SUBSTITUTES

16. Naka Drotske

17. Brendan Venter

18. Rudolph Straeuli

19. Johan Roux

20. Garry Pagel

21. Gavin Johnson

Coach: Kitch Christie