In sport, some victories transcend the pitch to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of a nation.
Such was the case at Ellis Park in 1995, in Paris in 2007, in Yokohama four years ago and again on Saturday at the Stade France where the Springboks, led by inspirational captain Siya Kolisi, completed the most treacherous World Cup quest in the annals of Bok rugby, beating the old foe to clinch an unprecedented fourth Rugby World Cup title.
The magnitude of this triumph cannot be overstated. Viewed through the lens of context, it is nothing short of mind-blowing. The Springboks’ path to glory was paved with challenges and tests of character that would have melted weaker minds. They faced four of the top-ranked nations in the world, all sharing the rarefied air alongside South Africa at the tournament’s outset.
Their journey began with a convincing victory against Scotland, a testament to their resolve and skill. But the heart of this story lies in how they rebounded from adversity – the loss to Ireland in the pool stages would have shaken the confidence of lesser men, but not the Springboks.
It was in the knockout stages that their mental fortitude truly shone through as each of their playoff victories was decided by a single, solitary point. The narrowest of margins on the scoreboard may as well have been an eternal abyss such was the gulf in the Springboks unwavering belief that they could overcome any obstacle, no matter how big the opponent or how little the time remaining on the clock.
They ruled a line under the loss against Ireland and rallied, drawing strength from their common purpose to defeat tournament hosts France 29-28 in a pulsating quarter-final clash.
Six days later, the Bok warriors dusted off their helmets and buckled their dented breastplates to face an England team that, in reaching the final four, had already placed them on the high ground, in terms of pre-tournament expectation. The eventual bronze medallists were up for it but went down 16-15 in a nail-biter.
Then came the ultimate challenge, facing the All Blacks in the World Cup final. The rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand is legendary, and the weight of history hung heavy in the air. But the Springboks, powered by their dedication to 60 million South Africans, charged into the fray like men resigned to never returning from battle.
It’s this unbreakable bond between the men in green and gold, the unshakeable belief that they carry, that sets them apart. They weren’t just playing for themselves or their team, they were playing to restore hope to a country plagued by corruption and uncertainty.
The Springboks are more than a rugby team. To South Africans, they represent the unquenchable spirit of a nation.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
