South Africa national rugby union team

The Springboks or Bokke are the South African national rugby team. Until the 1990s, they had a positive win record against every nation they played, with New Zealand's All Blacks being their greatest rivals. Due to the governments policy of apartheid, and insistence that touring teams only contain white players, they were excluded from international rugby, with their last tour before readmittance being the infamous 1981 tour of New Zealand, which saw that country divided in two, and was racked by demonstrations.

The Springboks were readmitted to international rugby after the demise of apartheid, and initially struggled to return to their previous high standards. However, by the time they hosted the 1995 World Cup, they were one of the favourites, winning an epic final against New Zealand 15-12. In 1998, under coach Nick Mallett, they went on a record winning streak, winning 17 consecutive tests, including the 1998 Tri Nations Series, before an exhausted team lost to England at the end of a long tour. Since then, the team has fallen upon hard times, regularly ending last in the Tri Nations. 2002/3 was their worst ever season, seeing them lose by record margins to France, England, Scotland and New Zealand, defeating Argentina by only one point, and being easily dispatched in the quarter finals of the 2003 World Cup.

The buildup to the Boks' 2003 World Cup campaign was tumultuous. During a pre-World Cup training camp, there was a highly publicized dispute between Geo Cronjé (an Afrikaner) and Quinton Davids (a black). Both were dropped from the team, and Cronjé was called before a tribunal to answer charges that his actions in the dispute were racially motivated. (Cronjé was eventually cleared.) Later, the Boks were sent to a military-style boot camp in the South African bush called Kamp Staaldraad (literal English translation "Camp Steel-wire", idiomatically "Camp Barbed Wire"). When details of the events at Kamp Staaldraad leaked, most South African rugby supporters reacted in outrage.

After the World Cup debacle, Boks coach Rudolf Straeuli was under fire, not only because of the team's poor results, but because of his role in organizing Kamp Staaldraad. He eventually resigned, as did Riann Oberholzer, the managing director of South Africa Rugby (Pty) Ltd. Soon afterwards, South Africa Rugby Football Union president Silas Nkununu, facing a strong reelection challenge, withdrew from consideration for election. New SARFU president Brian van Rooyen is expected to completely overhaul the South African rugby organization.

In February 2004, Jake White was named as the Boks' new coach. He had previously coached the Springboks under-21 side, which won the inaugural U21 Rugby World Cup in 2002 under his direction.

Tri-Nations 2004

South Africa continued to nurture and develop the rich vain of talet during the Tri-Nations. A competition which South Africa have not been competitive in in three years. However, things were to be different this time as the Boks ploughed their way into the opposition. Most notably with a herculean backline display that has seen South Africa score a glut of 11 tries in three games of the Tri-Nations, as oppossed to the All Blacks much vaunted and feared backlines display of 4 in four games. South Africa's improved displays have made for the titest tri nations competition so far in the history of the competition.

The Boks opener against the All Blacks was a thriller with Boks 'Rush' defence rattling the kiwis 'flat' attack to its core. After 80 minutes the Boks were ahead before a thrilling attack from the All Blacks claimed a last second try to win the game, coutesy of Doug Howlett. However, the Boks could take a lot out of this game and apprached the Wallabies with a spring in their step. The Wallabies too caused South Africa heart ache as ex South African under 21's captain Clyde Rathbone snatched the winner for the Aussies with minutes to go. The Boks defeat was partly due to their loss of Victor Matfield. The lanky lock's absence providing the Wallabies with an excellent chance to target South Africa's lineouts, as they did so they caused South Africa problems in this area. Or should I say, the South Africans caused themselves problems in this area. However, good win for the Wallabies. Now for the big one, South Africa needed to beat the All Blacks in order to keep their hopes of a Tr-Nations title, a first since 1998, alive. They did so with vigour as they brushed aside the All Blacks with disdain, providing the authoritive finishing and poise which was lacking to a degree in the first game between the Southern rivals. The only area of the game in which New Zealand competed well was the scoreboard. After going 10-0 down early on South Africa went into the second half ahead, again. However, unlike the first game South Africa provided what they sought out to do with a strong second half display, as they pulled away from the All Blacks, 5 tries to 2. Bok center, Marius Joubert equalled an SA record for the most tries against the All Blacks in the process with a hat trick of tries.

South Africa vs Ireland

Ireland arrived in South Africa for the their two-match tour in 2004 as favourites to win their first game against South Africa on South African soil. South Africa fielded a young and inexperienced side and a new coach. Ireland had beaten World Champions England in the Six Nations, and had a settled side with a dangerous backline. However, at altitude in Bloemfontein, a dominant forward performance, led by the returning Os Du Randt and lock Bakkies Botha, did not allow Ireland's backline much quality ball, and South Africa won the first test 31-17. The second test, in Newlands, Cape Town, was closer. With Botha out injured, the Irish made the South African lineout struggle, and the forward battle was more even. However, some solid defensive play, and good finishing, saw the South African's home.

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost
16	14	1	1

Date	Venue	Result
19 Jun 2004	Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa	26 - 17
12 Jun 2004	Bloemfontein, South Africa	31 - 17
19 Nov 2000	Ireland	28 - 18
28 Nov 1998	Ireland	27 - 13
20 Jun 1998	South Africa	33 - 0
13 Jun 1998	South Africa	37 - 13
6 Jun 1981	South Africa	12 - 10
30 May 1981	South Africa	23 - 15
10 Jan 1970	Ireland	8 - 8
10 Apr 1965	Ireland	6 - 9
13 May 1961	South Africa	24 - 8
17 Dec 1960	Ireland	8 - 3
8 Dec 1951	Ireland	17 - 5
19 Dec 1931	Ireland	8 - 3
30 Nov 1912	Ireland	38 - 0
24 Nov 1906	Ireland	15 - 12

South Africa vs Wales

South Africa went into their June 2004 game against Wales with a lot more confidence behind them after an impressive two test series white wash of Ireland. Jakes new look Bok side would demonstrate in this match the resurrection of the Boks. They were in total command of the game from start to finish. The forwards were all that forwards should be, strong, tall and powerful in the tackles leaving the Welsh with very little possession which was provided on the back foot. The Boks unleashed wave after wave of Attack from which they would smash the Welsh defence.The backline showing the creatibity and poise that has been missing in previous Bok sides.

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost
17	15	1	1

Date	Venue	Result
6 Nov 2004	Cardiff, Wales	38-36
26 Jun 2004	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa	53 - 18
15 Jun 2002	South Africa	19 - 8
8 Jun 2002	South Africa	34 - 19
26 Nov 2000	Wales	23 - 13
26 Jun 1999	Wales	19 - 28
14 Nov 1998	South Africa	28 - 20
27 Jun 1998	South Africa	96 - 13
15 Dec 1996	Wales	37 - 20
2 Sep 1995	South Africa	40 - 11
26 Nov 1994	Wales	20 - 12
24 Jan 1970	Wales	6 - 6
23 May 1964	South Africa	24 - 3
3 Dec 1960	South Africa	3 - 0
22 Dec 1951	Wales	3 - 6
5 Dec 1931	Wales	3 - 8
14 Dec 1912	Wales	0 - 3
1 Feb 1906	Wales	0 - 11

Famous players

External links

SA Rugby Homepage

Tri-Nations 2004

South Africa vs Ireland

South Africa vs Wales

Famous players

See also

External links