The defensive masterclass that laid the foundation for South Africa’s victory over England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

The All Blacks, Wallabies, France and Ireland can all lay claim to being the game’s top attacking force at some point during the professional era, but no team comes close to matching the appetite for defence displayed by the back-to-back world champion Springboks.

This point is best showcased by the Boks’ patient and resilient defence against England at the 2019 showpiece where Jacques Nienaber’s unit absorbed and repelled 26 phases of England attack in the Yokohama final, which South Africa won 32-12.

“The greatest defensive set in rugby history”
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