South Africa at the Rugby World Cup

South Africa have played at 8 of the 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments, having been unable to compete in the first two tournaments due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era, and have won 50% of tournaments in which they participated. Following the end of apartheid, they hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and won the tournament, they were champions again at the 2007 tournament in France. The Springboks then made history when they beat England in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan despite losing a pool stage match.[citation needed] They again made history in 2023 when both finalists lost pool matches.

The Springboks have the most tournament wins at the Rugby World Cup - having won 4 times - although they have participated in fewer tournaments. In addition to this, they are the only rugby team to have won every World Cup final they have played in.[citation needed]

By position edit

Rugby World Cup
YearRoundPldWDLPFPASquad
1987Barred due to Apartheid
1991
1995Champions660014467Squad
1999Third Place6501219101Squad
2003Quarter-finals530219389Squad
2007Champions770027886Squad
2011Quarter-finals540117535Squad
2015Third Place7502241108Squad
2019Champions760126267Squad
2023Champions760120888Squad
TotalChampions5042081720641
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth placeHome venue

By matches edit

1995 edit

Pool A
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
 South Africa33006826+429
 Australia32018741+467
 Canada31024550−55
 Romania30031497−833
Source: [citation needed]

30 May 1995
South Africa  21–8  Romania
Tries: Adriaan Richter (2)
Con: Gavin Johnson
Pen: Gavin Johnson (3)
Tries: Andrei Gurănescu
Pen: Ilie Ivanciuc
Newlands, Cape Town
Attendance: 35 000
Referee: Ken McCartney

3 June 1995
South Africa  20–0  Canada
Tries: Adriaan Richter (2)
Con: Joel Stransky (2)
Pen: Joel Stransky (2)
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Attendance: 31 000
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

Quarter-final

Semi-final
17 June 1995
South Africa  19–15  France
Tries: Ruben Kruger
Con: Joel Stransky
Pen: Joel Stransky (4)
Pen: Thierry Lacroix (5)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 50 000 (capacity)
Referee: Derek Bevan

Final
24 June 1995
South Africa  15–12 (a.e.t.)  New Zealand
Pen: Joel Stransky (3)
Drop: Joel Stransky (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Drop: Andrew Mehrtens
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Attendance: 65 000 (capacity)
Referee: Ed Morrison

1999 edit

Pool A
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
 South Africa330013235+979
 Scotland320112058+627
 Uruguay31024297−555
 Spain300318122−1043
Source: [citation needed]



Quarter-final

Semi-final
30 October 1999
South Africa  21–27
(a.e.t)
 Australia
Pen: Jannie de Beer (6)
Drop: Jannie de Beer
Pen: Matthew Burke (8)
Drop: Stephen Larkham
Twickenham, London
Attendance: 72,000
Referee: Derek Bevan

Third place play-off
4 November 1999
South Africa  22–18  New Zealand
Tries: Breyton Paulse
Con: Henry Honiball
Pen: Henry Honiball (3)
Drop goals: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (6)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Peter Marshall

2003 edit

Pool C
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
 England440025547+208319Quarter-finals
 South Africa430118460+124315
 Samoa4202138117+21210
 Uruguay410356255−19904
 Georgia400446200−15400
Source: [citation needed]
11 October 2003
South Africa  72–6  Uruguay
Tries: van der Westhuizen (3), van Niekerk, Botha, Delport, Fourie, Bands, Rossouw, Scholtz, Greef
Con: Koen (5), Hougaard
Pen: Aguirre (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 16,906
Referee: Paddy O'Brien

18 October 2003
South Africa  6–25  England
Pen: Koen (2)Tries: Greenwood
Con: Wilkinson
Pen: Wilkinson (4)
Drop: Wilkinson (2)
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 38,834
Referee: Peter Marshall

24 October 2003
South Africa  46–19  Georgia
Tries: Rossouw (2), Hougaard, van Niekerk, Fourie, Botha, Burger
Con: Hougaard (4)
Pen: Hougaard
Tries: Dadunashvili
Con: Jimsheladze
Pen: Jimsheladze (3), Kvirikashvili
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 34,308
Referee: Stuart Dickinson

1 November 2003
South Africa  60–10  Samoa
Tries: van Niekerk, Muller, Hougaard, Smith, Willemse, Fourie, van der Westhuyzen, de Kock
Con: Hougaard (5), Koen (2)
Pen: Hougaard
Drop: Hougaard
Tries: Palepoi
Con: Va'a
Pen: Va'a
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 48,496
Referee: Chris White

Quarter-final
6 November 2003
New Zealand  29–9  South Africa
Tries: MacDonald 16' c
Mealamu 59' m
Rokocoko 72' m
Con: MacDonald
Pen: MacDonald (3)
Drop: Mauger 45'
Pen: Hougaard (3)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 40,734
Referee: Tony Spreadbury

2007 edit

Pool A
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPtsQualification
1  South Africa440018947+142319Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2  England430110888+20214
3  Tonga42028996−719Eliminated, automatic qualification for 2011 Rugby World Cup
4  Samoa410369143−7415
5  United States400461142−8111
Source: [citation needed]
9 September 2007
16:00
South Africa  59–7  Samoa
Tries: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m
Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m
Fourie 47' c
JP Pietersen 80+' c
Con: Montgomery (5/8)
Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15'
ReportTry: Williams 18' c
Con: Williams (1/1)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 46,575
Referee: Paul Honiss

14 September 2007
21:00
England  0–36  South Africa
ReportTries: Smith 6' c
Pietersen (2) 38' c, 64' c
Con: Montgomery (3/3)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 11'
Montgomery (4/4) 36', 46', 55', 79'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,523
Referee: Joël Jutge

22 September 2007
14:00
South Africa  30–25  Tonga
Tries: Pienaar (2) 18' c, 65' m
Smith 59' c
Skinstad 62' m
Con: Pretorius (1/1)
Montgomery (1/3)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 54'
Montgomery (1/1) 76'
ReportTries: Pulu 44' c
Hufanga 70' m
Vaki 72' c
Con: Hola (2/3)
Pen: Hola (2/3) 9', 78'
Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 40,069
Referee: Wayne Barnes

30 September 2007
20:00
South Africa  64–15  United States
Tries: Burger 10' c
Steyn 28' c
Habana (2) 35' c, 42' m
van der Linde 48' c
du Preez 54' c
Fourie (2) 64' c, 73' c
Smith 77' c
Con: Montgomery (6/7)
James (2/2)
Pen: Montgomery (1/1) 17'
ReportTries: Ngwenya 39' c
Wyles 51' m
Con: Hercus (1/2)
Pen: Hercus (1/1) 20'
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 28,750
Referee: Tony Spreadbury

Quarter-final
7 October 2007
15:00
South Africa  37–20  Fiji
Tries: Fourie 13' m
Smit 35' m
Pietersen 51' c
Smith 70' c
James 80' c
Con: Montgomery (3/5)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8'
Montgomery (1/2) 63'
ReportTries: Delasau 57' c
Bobo 59' c
Con: Bai (2/2)
Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44'
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 55,943
Referee: Alan Lewis

Semi-final
14 October 2007
21:00
South Africa  37–13  Argentina
Tries: du Preez 7' c
Habana (2) 32' c, 76' c
Rossouw 40' c
Con: Montgomery (4/4)
Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 17', 71', 75'
ReportTry: M. Contepomi 45' c
Con: F. Contepomi (1/1)
Pen: F. Contepomi (2/4) 15', 30'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,055
Referee: Steve Walsh

Final
20 October 2007
21:00
England  6–15  South Africa
Pen: Wilkinson (2/2) 13', 44'ReportPen: Montgomery (4/4) 7', 16', 40', 51'
Steyn (1/2) 62'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,430
Referee: Alain Rolland

2011 edit

Pool D
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1  South Africa440016624+14221218Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2  Wales430118034+14623315
3  Samoa42029149+429210Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup
4  Fiji410359167−108715
5  Namibia400444266−222500
Source: [citation needed]
11 September 2011
20:30 NZST
South Africa  17–16  Wales
Tries: F. Steyn,
Hougaard
Con: M. Steyn (2)
Pen: M. Steyn
(Report)Tries: Faletau
Con: Hook
Pen: Hook (3)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 33,331
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

17 September 2011
18:00 NZST
South Africa  49–3  Fiji
Tries: Steenkamp
Fourie
F. Steyn
M. Steyn
Mtawarira
Rossouw
Con: M. Steyn
Pen: M. Steyn, F. Steyn
(Report)Pen: Bai
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 33,262
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

22 September 2011
20:30 NZST
South Africa  87–0  Namibia
Tries: Aplon (2),
Habana,
Fourie,
F. Steyn,
M. Steyn,
de Jongh (2),
Hougaard (2)
Con: M. Steyn,
Pienaar
Pen: M. Steyn
(Report)
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 26,839
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

30 September 2011
20:00 NZST
South Africa  13–5  Samoa
Tries: Habana
Con: M. Steyn (2)
Pen: M. Steyn,
F. Steyn
(Report)Tries: Stowers
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 29,734
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Quarter-Final
9 October 2011
South Africa  9–11  Australia
Pen: M. Steyn (2),
Drop: M. Steyn
(Report)Tries: Horwill,
Pen: O'Connor (2)
Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 29,734
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

2015 edit

Pool B
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1  South Africa430117656+12023416Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2  Scotland430113693+4314214
3  Japan430198100−29012Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4  Samoa410369124−55726
5  United States400450156−106500
Source: [citation needed]
19 September 2015
16:45
South Africa  32–34  Japan
Try: Louw 18' c
B. Du Plessis 33' m
De Jager 44' c
Strauss 62' c
Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45'
Pollard (1/1) 63'
Pen: Lambie (1/1) 57'
Pollard (1/1) 73'
ReportTry: Leitch 30' c
Goromaru 69' c
Hesketh 80' m
Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70'
Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60'
Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton
Attendance: 29,290
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

26 September 2015
16:45
South Africa  46–6  Samoa
Try: Pietersen (3) 15' m, 47' c, 78' m
Burger 58' m
Brits 71' m
Habana 80' c
Con: Pollard (1/4) 48'
Lambie (1/2) 80'
Pen: Pollard (4/4) 2', 19', 24', 39'
ReportPen: Stanley (2/5) 9', 12'
Villa Park, Birmingham
Attendance: 39,526
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

3 October 2015
16:45
South Africa  34–16  Scotland
Try: Burger 13' c
Pietersen 38' c
Habana 73' m
Con: Pollard (2/3) 13', 40'
Pen: Pollard (4/4) 17', 27', 62', 68'
Drop: Pollard 51'
ReportTry: Seymour 49' c
Con: Laidlaw (1/1) 50'
Pen: Laidlaw (2/3) 30', 45'
Weir (1/1) 60'
St. James' Park, Newcastle
Attendance: 50,900
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

7 October 2015
16:45
South Africa  64–0  United States
Try: De Allende 7' c
Penalty try 27' c
Habana (3) 42' c, 59' c, 61' c
Du Plessis 47' m
Louw (2) 53' c, 69' m
Kriel 73' m
Mvovo 80' c
Con: Pollard (4/5) 8', 28', 42', 54'
Steyn (3/5) 60', 63', 80'
Report
Olympic Stadium, London
Attendance: 54,658
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

Quarter-final
17 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
South Africa  23–19  Wales
Try: Du Preez 75' m
Con: Pollard (0/1)
Pen: Pollard (5/7) 9', 13', 17', 21', 62'
Drop: Pollard 52'
Report[1]Try: G. Davies 18' c
Con: Biggar (1/1) 19'
Pen: Biggar (3/4) 15', 47', 64'
Drop: Biggar 40'
Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 79,572
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Semi-final
24 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
South Africa  18–20  New Zealand
Pen: Pollard (5/5) 3', 11', 21', 39', 58'
Lambie (1/1) 69'
ReportTry: Kaino 6' c
Barrett 52' c
Con: Carter (2/2) 9', 53'
Pen: Carter (1/2) 60'
Drop: Carter 46'
Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 80,090
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Bronze final
30 October 2015
20:00 GMT (UTC+00)
South Africa  24–13  Argentina
Try: Pietersen 6' c
Etzebeth 43' m
Con: Pollard (1/2) 7'
Pen: Pollard (4/5) 14', 33', 40', 48'
Report[2]Try: Orlandi 80' c
Con: Sánchez (1/1) 80'
Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 52'
Drop: Sánchez 42'
Olympic Stadium, London
Attendance: 55,925
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

2019 edit

Pool B
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1  New Zealand431015722+13522216Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2  South Africa430118536+14927315
3  Italy42119878+2014212Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4  Namibia401334175−141302
5  Canada401314177−163202
Source: [citation needed]
21 September 2019
18:45 JST (UTC+09)
New Zealand  23–13  South Africa
Try: Bridge 24' c
S. Barrett 27' c
Con: Mo'unga (2/2) 25', 28'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/3) 23', 67'
B. Barrett (1/1) 72'
ReportTry: Du Toit 48' c
Con: Pollard (1/1) 49'
Pen: Pollard (1/2) 2'
Drop: Pollard (1/1) 59'
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Attendance: 63,649
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

28 September 2019
18:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) South Africa  57–3  Namibia
Try: Mbonambi (2) 10' c, 17' c
Louw 15' m
Mapimpi (2) 27' m, 54' c
Am 42' c
Gelant 48' c
Kolisi 59' m
Brits 64' c
Con: E. Jantjies (6/9) 11', 19', 43', 50', 55', 66'
ReportPen: Loubser (1/2) 24'
City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Attendance: 36,449
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

4 October 2019
18:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) South Africa  49–3  Italy
Try: Kolbe (2) 5' c, 52' m
Mbonambi 26' c
Am 57' c
Mapimpi 67' c
Snyman 75 m'
Marx 80+2' m
Con: Pollard (4/7) 6', 27', 59', 68'
Pen: Pollard (2/2) 11', 50'
ReportPen: Allan (1/1) 8'
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi
Attendance: 44,148
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

8 October 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) South Africa  66–7  Canada
Try: de Allende 3' c
Nkosi 6' m
Reinach (3) 10' c, 18' c, 21' c
Gelant 28' c
Steyn 40'+1 c
Brits 55' c
Willemse 66' c
Malherbe 73' m
Con: E. Jantjies (8/10) 3', 12', 20', 22', 29', 40'+2, 56', 68'
ReportTry: Heaton 46' c
Con: Nelson (1/1) 48'
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Attendance: 28,014
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Quarter-final
20 October 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
Japan  3–26  South Africa
Pen: Tamura (1/1) 20'ReportTry: Mapimpi (2) 4' m, 70' m
de Klerk 66' c
Con: Pollard (1/3) 66'
Pen: Pollard (3/4) 44', 49', 64'
Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu
Attendance: 48,831
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Semi final
27 October 2019
18:00 JST (UTC+09)
Wales  16–19  South Africa
Try: Adams 65' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 66'
Pen: Biggar (3/3) 18', 39', 46'
ReportTry: de Allende 57' c
Con: Pollard (1/1) 58'
Pen: Pollard (4/4) 15', 20', 35', 76'
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Attendance: 67,750
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Final
2 November 2019
18:00 JST (UTC+09)
England  12–32  South Africa
Pen: Farrell (4/5) 23', 35', 52', 60'ReportTry: Mapimpi 66' c
Kolbe 74' c
Con: Pollard (2/2) 67', 75'
Pen: Pollard (6/8) 10', 26', 39', 43', 46', 58'
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Attendance: 70,103
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Overall record edit

Overall record against all nations in the World Cup:[3]

CountryPlayedWinsDrawsLossesForAgainst+/-Winning percent
 England65-114979+7083,33
 Samoa55--22042+178100
 New Zealand63-389113-2450
 Wales33--5951+8100
 Scotland33--9848+50100
 Australia31-25756+133
 Argentina22--6126+35100
 Canada22--867+79100
 Fiji22--8623+63100
 France22--4843+5100
 Namibia22--1443+141100
 Romania22--978+89100
 Tonga22--7943+36100
 United States22--12815+113100
 Uruguay22--1119+102100
 Japan21-15837+2150
 Georgia11--4619+27100
 Italy11--493+46100
 Spain11--473+44100
 Ireland1--1813-50
Total5042081720641+107984

References edit

  1. ^ "'Pure genius' try from Fourie du Preez grabs late victory for Springboks over Wales". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Greatest Springboks generation bow out with bronze, while Argentina look ahead to golden future". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. ^ "All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup". allblacks.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.