The first South African team to tour the British Isles and France occurred during 1906–07. South Africa would not lose another series-home or away-until 1956. Rugby was given a huge boost by the early Lions tours, which created great interest in the South African press. In 1903 the British Isles lost a series for the first time in South Africa, drawing the opening two tests before losing the last 8–0. South Africa's play greatly improved from 1891, and their first test win in the final game was a pointer to the future. The British Isles' success continued on their tour of 1896, winning three out of four tests against South Africa. The tourists won all twenty matches they played, conceding only one point. These were the first representative games played by South African sides. The first British Isles tour took place in 1891, at Diocesan College. Main article: History of the South Africa national rugby union team First internationals: 1891–1913 The South Africa team that played the second test against the British Isles in 1891 Many teams have had their biggest defeats to the Springboks including Australia, Italy, Scotland, Uruguay, Wales and New Zealand. They are also the only team with a 50% win-rate in the Rugby World Cup series. Sixteen former Springboks and influential South Africans have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Rugby union is a highly popular sport in South Africa, and it is often the preferred sport of the country's most talented athletes. The team has gained widespread recognition around the world, even among non-rugby fans. They have won the Championship on four occasions in Twenty-Four competitions and are the only team to have won a version of the competition and the Rugby World Cup in the same year.įor almost a century, South Africans have taken great pride in the performance of their national rugby union team. The Springboks also compete in the annual Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations), along with their Southern Hemisphere counterparts Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. They went on to retain their title in 2023. As a result of this, the South African National Rugby Union Team were named 2020 World Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards for a second time. South Africa then won a third World Cup title, defeating England 32–12 in the 2019 final. They were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards. As a result of the 2007 World Cup tournament the Springboks were promoted to first place in the IRB World Rankings, a position they held until July the following year when New Zealand regained the top spot. South Africa regained the title as champions 12 years later, when they defeated England 15–6 in the 2007 final. This cast a new light on South Africa, where people of all colour united as one nation to watch their team play. The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 15–12 in the 1995 final, which is now remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history, and a watershed moment in the post-Apartheid nation-building process. Although South Africa was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks could not compete in the first two World Cups in 19 because of international anti-apartheid sporting boycotts. The team made its World Cup debut in 1995, when the newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament. They are also the second nation to win the World Cup consecutively (20). Currently, the Springboks are the number one ranked rugby team in the world and are the reigning World Champions, having won the World Cup on a record four occasions ( 1995, 2007, 20). The team has been representing South African Rugby Union in international rugby union since 30 July 1891, when they played their first test match against a British Isles touring team. Their emblem is a native antelope, the Springbok, which is the national animal of South Africa. The Springboks play in green and gold jerseys with white shorts. The South Africa national rugby union team ( Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale rugbyspan) commonly known as the Springboks (colloquially the Boks, Bokke or Amabhokobhoko), is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union. ( Auckland, New Zealand 16 September 2017) ( East London, South Africa 11 June 2005)
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