Springboks vs All Blacks: Legends gone too soon
The Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks will meet for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup finale in their Rugby Championship match next weekend.
The fierce rugby rivals will play two back-to-back games on home soil on 31 August and 7 September.
South Africa has four World Cup titles, while their competitors have three.
SPRINGBOKS VS ALL BLACKS: REMEMBER THESE WORLD CUP LEGENDS?
In honour of their upcoming matches, we’ve put together a list of six World-Cup-winning Springboks and All Blacks legends.
Do you remember these late legends who made waves at previous World Cups?
Sadly, many Springbok players from South Africa’s historic 1995 Rugby World Cup win have since died.
They include:
Chester Williams
Chester was one of the shining stars of the ‘95 Rugby World Cup.
Sadly, the 49-year-old died of a heart attack in 2019.
James Small
Like Williams, Small – who helped score crucial penalties in 1995 – died of a sudden heart attack.
His death – at 50 years old – came just months before the Springboks 2019 Rugby World Cup win.
Joost van der Westhuizen
Joost was one of SA’s rugby legends, having played in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 Rugby World Cups.
Tragically, the star died at age 45 in 2017 after a painful battle with motor neurone disease.
Ruben Kruger
Just one year after playing the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Springboks star Kruger was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died after a decade-long struggle in 2010., just two months short of his 40th birthday.
Jonah Lomu
All eyes were on All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cup.
The Kiwi – who struck up firm friendships within the Bok squad – died in 2015 of a heart attack.
Jerry Collins
All Black Jerry – who played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cup – died in 2015 in a car crash in France.
SA FIRST PLAYED NEW ZEALAND IN 1928 AT ELLIS PARK
According to Planet Rugby, the Springbok first played the All Blacks in 1928 at Ellis Park Stadium, now known as the Emirates Airline Park.
Back then, New Zealand won the match 7-6 against the host country.
This weekend’s sold-out game will see the stadium packed to capacity at almost 70 000 spectators.
SPRINGBOKS VS ALL BLACKS – WHO WILL WIN THIS WEEKEND?
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