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1995 Rugby World Cup Anniversary Competition

“Dare we hope? We dare. Can we hope? We can. Should we hope? We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious gifts, given so freely by God to all of us.”
-Andy Ripley “Ripley’s World”

This year marks the 20 year anniversary of South Africa’s victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. A moment that will long be remembered as our country celebrated it’s freedom and pride together as one for the first time.

In celebration of this momentous anniversary we would like you to share your story of where you where when we won the world cup.

The best story will win a R1000 Exclusive Books voucher! Entries must be emailed to socialmedia@exclusives.co.za before 15 May to qualify.

Winning entry

24 June 1995. The stage is set for the biggest sporting event ever in South Africa. It’s the Rugby World Cup final and we are in it ! With the eyes of the world set on this new rainbow nation still learning about what a true democracy really means. The whole country is united behind the team and there’s a country wide spirit of unity and excitement. I’m getting gooseflesh just thinking about it. From early in the day fans are showing their support and it’s just crazy ! We just came out of isolation and we’re playing against the mightiest rugby nation in the world – the All Blacks. Those who aren’t lucky enough to go to Ellis Park have bought their meat and beverages of choice. Want nou gaan ons braai manne ! Every pub and tavern is filled to the brim with the game on every television screen in South Africa. Everybody is geared up and ready to stand behind the Boks.

But I’m working…

I’m working but we have a tv, biltong, chips and non-alcoholic drinks at the ready. For 2 hours no work is going to get done but even management understands and have no problem with it. We are a whole room full of people crowded around that one small tv cheering and going mad – we are as good as at the game. Thank goodness there was no such thing as load shedding yet ! The game is tight and ends on 12 – 12 after full time. Extra time is added and I begin to get nervous. I have a bus to catch and it’s the last bus of the day. I can’t miss it.

And so I miss the last couple of minutes…

I have to run for the bus stop and so I miss the most famous dropgoal in the history of World Cup rugby. I’m 5 minutes early at the bus stop and while I wait on Church Square in Pretoria for that bus the whole city suddenly exploded with car hooters and people shouting and cheering and I know we must have won !

The bus comes 30 minutes late…

The bus driver’s excuse?
He was watching the game until the end!

3 Responses to 1995 Rugby World Cup Anniversary Competition

  1. Yuven Gounden April 24th, 2015 at 11:48 am #

    I was driving from Cape Town to Durban and listening to the commentary on the radio. It was exhilarating to hear that we won- at a total Garage near Harrismith.

  2. Lynette May 1st, 2015 at 10:56 am #

    I was a student at the time, and could not afford a ticket to the match, but I parked my car as close to the stadium as I could possibly get, and we celebrated in the street with fellow students 🙂 we still talk about it today! Memories x

  3. Roslyn Kinnear May 6th, 2015 at 9:14 am #

    WOW! I can remember that day so well, I was only 15, turning 35 now, My brother, Dad, Stepmom and some other family members and friends were at my Dad’s house on the river.
    We were all sitting in the lounge watching it on his big television. There were a lot of snacks and shouting going on. We also had a braai going.
    I remember Joel Stransky scoring a drop goal in extra time to win the match. The suspense was surreal.
    Best rugby game to date!
    When South Africa won Rugby World Cup in 1995 it was not only a victory for the Springboks but for the whole of the newly christened “Rainbow Nation”!
    Was a truly awesome experience!!! That game is what got me into watching Rugby to date.

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