South Africa have played at 8 of the 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments, having been unable to compete in the first two tournaments due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era, and have won 50% of tournaments in which they participated. Following the end of apartheid, they hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and won the tournament, they were champions again at the 2007 tournament in France. The Springboks then made history when they beat England in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan despite losing a pool stage match.[ citation needed ] They again made history in 2023 when both finalists lost pool matches.
The Springboks have the most tournament wins at the Rugby World Cup - having won 4 times - although they have participated in fewer tournaments. In addition to this, they are the only rugby team to have won every World Cup final they have played in.[ citation needed ]
| Rugby World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  1987 | Barred due to Apartheid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
     1991 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 1995 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 144 | 67 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Third Place | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 219 | 101 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 193 | 89 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Champions | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 278 | 86 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 175 | 35 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Third Place | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 241 | 108 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 2019 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 262 | 67 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 208 | 88 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Champions | 50 | 42 | 0 | 8 | 1720 | 641 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 26 | +42 | 9 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 41 | +46 | 7 |
 Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 50 | −5 | 5 |
 Romania | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 97 | −83 | 3 |
| 25 May 1995 |
| South Africa | 27–18 | Australia |
| Tries: Pieter Hendriks, Joel Stransky Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (4) Drop: Joel Stransky | Tries: Phil Kearns, Michael Lynagh Con: Michael Lynagh Pen: Michael Lynagh |
| Newlands, Cape Town Attendance: 51 000 (capacity) Referee: Derek Bevan |
| 30 May 1995 |
| South Africa | 21–8 | Romania |
| Tries: Adriaan Richter (2) Con: Gavin Johnson Pen: Gavin Johnson (3) | Tries: Andrei Gurănescu Pen: Ilie Ivanciuc |
| Newlands, Cape Town Attendance: 35 000 Referee: Ken McCartney |
| 3 June 1995 |
| South Africa | 20–0 | Canada |
| Tries: Adriaan Richter (2) Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2) |
| Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 31 000 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) |
| 10 June 1995 |
| South Africa | 42–14 |  Western Samoa |
| Tries: Chester Williams (4), Chris Rossouw, Mark Andrews Con: Gavin Johnson (3) Pen: Gavin Johnson (2) | Tries: Shem Tatupu, Tu Nu'uali'itia Con: Tupo Fa'amasino (2) |
| Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 52 000 Referee: Jim Fleming |
| 17 June 1995 |
| South Africa | 19–15 | France |
| Tries: Ruben Kruger Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (4) | Pen: Thierry Lacroix (5) |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 50 000 (capacity) Referee: Derek Bevan |
| 24 June 1995 |
| South Africa | 15–12 (a.e.t.) | New Zealand |
| Pen: Joel Stransky (3) Drop: Joel Stransky (2) | Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens |
| Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 65 000 (capacity) Referee: Ed Morrison |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 35 | +97 | 9 |
| Scotland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 58 | +62 | 7 |
 Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 97 | −55 | 5 |
 Spain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 122 | −104 | 3 |
| 3 October 1999 |
| Scotland | 29–46 | South Africa |
| Tries: Martin Leslie, Alan Tait Con: Kenny Logan (2) Pen: Kenny Logan (4) Drop: Gregor Townsend | Tries: Ollie Le Roux, Deon Kayser, Joost van der Westhuizen, Robbie Fleck, Andre Venter, Brendan Venter Con: Jannie de Beer (5) Pen: Jannie de Beer (2) |
| Murrayfield, Edinburgh Attendance: 57,612 Referee: Colin Hawke |
| 10 October 1999 |
| South Africa | 47–3 | Spain |
| Tries: André Vos (2), Anton Leonard, Pieter Muller, Bob Skinstad, Werner Swanepoel Con: Jannie de Beer (6) | Pen: Ferran Velazco Querol |
| Murrayfield, Edinburgh Attendance: 4,769 Referee: Paul Honiss |
| 15 October 1999 |
| South Africa | 39–3 | Uruguay |
| Tries: Albert van den Berg (2), Joost van der Westhuizen, Deon Kayser, Robbie Fleck Con: Jannie de Beer (4) Pen: Jannie de Beer (2) | Pen: Diego Aguirre |
| Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Peter Marshall |
| 24 October 1999 |
| South Africa | 44–21 | England |
| Tries: Joost van der Westhuizen, Pieter Rossouw Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer (5) Drop: Jannie de Beer (5) | Pen: Paul Grayson (6), Jonny Wilkinson |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 75,000 Referee: Jim Fleming |
| 30 October 1999 |
| South Africa | 21–27 (a.e.t) | Australia |
| Pen: Jannie de Beer (6) Drop: Jannie de Beer | Pen: Matthew Burke (8) Drop: Stephen Larkham |
| Twickenham, London Attendance: 72,000 Referee: Derek Bevan |
| 4 November 1999 |
| South Africa | 22–18 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Breyton Paulse Con: Henry Honiball Pen: Henry Honiball (3) Drop goals: Percy Montgomery (2) | Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (6) |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Peter Marshall |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 47 | +208 | 3 | 19 | Quarter-finals |
| South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 60 | +124 | 3 | 15 | |
| Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 138 | 117 | +21 | 2 | 10 | |
| Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 255 | −199 | 0 | 4 | |
 Georgia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 200 | −154 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 October 2003 |
| South Africa | 72–6 | Uruguay |
| Tries: van der Westhuizen (3), van Niekerk, Botha, Delport, Fourie, Bands, Rossouw, Scholtz, Greef Con: Koen (5), Hougaard | Pen: Aguirre (2) |
| Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 16,906 Referee: Paddy O'Brien |
| 18 October 2003 |
| South Africa | 6–25 | England |
| Pen: Koen (2) | Tries: Greenwood Con: Wilkinson Pen: Wilkinson (4) Drop: Wilkinson (2) |
| Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 38,834 Referee: Peter Marshall |
| 24 October 2003 |
| South Africa | 46–19 | Georgia |
| Tries: Rossouw (2), Hougaard, van Niekerk, Fourie, Botha, Burger Con: Hougaard (4) Pen: Hougaard | Tries: Dadunashvili Con: Jimsheladze Pen: Jimsheladze (3), Kvirikashvili |
| Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 34,308 Referee: Stuart Dickinson |
| 1 November 2003 |
| South Africa | 60–10 | Samoa |
| Tries: van Niekerk, Muller, Hougaard, Smith, Willemse, Fourie, van der Westhuyzen, de Kock Con: Hougaard (5), Koen (2) Pen: Hougaard Drop: Hougaard | Tries: Palepoi Con: Va'a Pen: Va'a |
| Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 48,496 Referee: Chris White |
| 6 November 2003 |
| New Zealand | 29–9 | South Africa |
| Tries: MacDonald 16' c Mealamu 59' m Rokocoko 72' m Con: MacDonald Pen: MacDonald (3) Drop: Mauger 45' | Pen: Hougaard (3) |
| Telstra Dome, Melbourne Attendance: 40,734 Referee: Tony Spreadbury |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 47 | +142 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 108 | 88 | +20 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 |  Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 96 | −7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for 2011 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 143 | −74 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 |  United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 142 | −81 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 September 2007 16:00 |
| South Africa | 59–7 | Samoa |
| Tries: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m Fourie 47' c JP Pietersen 80+' c Con: Montgomery (5/8) Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15' | Report | Try: Williams 18' c Con: Williams (1/1) |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 46,575 Referee: Paul Honiss |
| 14 September 2007 21:00 |
| England | 0–36 | South Africa |
| Report | Tries: Smith 6' c Pietersen (2) 38' c, 64' c Con: Montgomery (3/3) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 11' Montgomery (4/4) 36', 46', 55', 79' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,523 Referee: Joël Jutge |
| 22 September 2007 14:00 |
| South Africa | 30–25 | Tonga |
| Tries: Pienaar (2) 18' c, 65' m Smith 59' c Skinstad 62' m Con: Pretorius (1/1) Montgomery (1/3) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 54' Montgomery (1/1) 76' | Report | Tries: Pulu 44' c Hufanga 70' m Vaki 72' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/3) 9', 78' |
| Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens Attendance: 40,069 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
| 30 September 2007 20:00 |
| South Africa | 64–15 | United States |
| Tries: Burger 10' c Steyn 28' c Habana (2) 35' c, 42' m van der Linde 48' c du Preez 54' c Fourie (2) 64' c, 73' c Smith 77' c Con: Montgomery (6/7) James (2/2) Pen: Montgomery (1/1) 17' | Report | Tries: Ngwenya 39' c Wyles 51' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/1) 20' |
| Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 28,750 Referee: Tony Spreadbury |
| 7 October 2007 15:00 |
| South Africa | 37–20 |  Fiji |
| Tries: Fourie 13' m Smit 35' m Pietersen 51' c Smith 70' c James 80' c Con: Montgomery (3/5) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8' Montgomery (1/2) 63' | Report | Tries: Delasau 57' c Bobo 59' c Con: Bai (2/2) Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44' |
| Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 55,943 Referee: Alan Lewis |
| 14 October 2007 21:00 |
| South Africa | 37–13 |  Argentina |
| Tries: du Preez 7' c Habana (2) 32' c, 76' c Rossouw 40' c Con: Montgomery (4/4) Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 17', 71', 75' | Report | Try: M. Contepomi 45' c Con: F. Contepomi (1/1) Pen: F. Contepomi (2/4) 15', 30' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,055 Referee: Steve Walsh |
| 20 October 2007 21:00 |
| England | 6–15 | South Africa |
| Pen: Wilkinson (2/2) 13', 44' | Report | Pen: Montgomery (4/4) 7', 16', 40', 51' Steyn (1/2) 62' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,430 Referee: Alain Rolland |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 21 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 23 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 | Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 9 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 September 2011 20:30 NZST |
| South Africa | 17–16 | Wales |
| Tries: F. Steyn, Hougaard Con: M. Steyn (2) Pen: M. Steyn | (Report) | Tries: Faletau Con: Hook Pen: Hook (3) |
| Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 33,331 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 17 September 2011 18:00 NZST |
| South Africa | 49–3 | Fiji |
| Tries: Steenkamp Fourie F. Steyn M. Steyn Mtawarira Rossouw Con: M. Steyn Pen: M. Steyn, F. Steyn | (Report) | Pen: Bai |
| Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 33,262 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
| 22 September 2011 20:30 NZST |
| South Africa | 87–0 | Namibia |
| Tries: Aplon (2), Habana, Fourie, F. Steyn, M. Steyn, de Jongh (2), Hougaard (2) Con: M. Steyn, Pienaar Pen: M. Steyn | (Report) |
| North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 26,839 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland) |
| 30 September 2011 20:00 NZST |
| South Africa | 13–5 | Samoa |
| Tries: Habana Con: M. Steyn (2) Pen: M. Steyn, F. Steyn | (Report) | Tries: Stowers |
| North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 29,734 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
| 9 October 2011 |
| South Africa | 9–11 | Australia |
| Pen: M. Steyn (2), Drop: M. Steyn | (Report) | Tries: Horwill, Pen: O'Connor (2) |
| Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 29,734 Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 23 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 14 | 2 | 14 | |
| 3 | Japan | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | −55 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | −106 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 September 2015 16:45 |
| South Africa | 32–34 | Japan |
| Try: Louw 18' c B. Du Plessis 33' m De Jager 44' c Strauss 62' c Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45' Pollard (1/1) 63' Pen: Lambie (1/1) 57' Pollard (1/1) 73' | Report | Try: Leitch 30' c Goromaru 69' c Hesketh 80' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70' Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60' |
| Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton Attendance: 29,290 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
| 26 September 2015 16:45 |
| South Africa | 46–6 | Samoa |
| Try: Pietersen (3) 15' m, 47' c, 78' m Burger 58' m Brits 71' m Habana 80' c Con: Pollard (1/4) 48' Lambie (1/2) 80' Pen: Pollard (4/4) 2', 19', 24', 39' | Report | Pen: Stanley (2/5) 9', 12' |
| Villa Park, Birmingham Attendance: 39,526 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 3 October 2015 16:45 |
| South Africa | 34–16 | Scotland |
| Try: Burger 13' c Pietersen 38' c Habana 73' m Con: Pollard (2/3) 13', 40' Pen: Pollard (4/4) 17', 27', 62', 68' Drop: Pollard 51' | Report | Try: Seymour 49' c Con: Laidlaw (1/1) 50' Pen: Laidlaw (2/3) 30', 45' Weir (1/1) 60' |
| St. James' Park, Newcastle Attendance: 50,900 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
| 7 October 2015 16:45 |
| South Africa | 64–0 | United States |
| Try: De Allende 7' c Penalty try 27' c Habana (3) 42' c, 59' c, 61' c Du Plessis 47' m Louw (2) 53' c, 69' m Kriel 73' m Mvovo 80' c Con: Pollard (4/5) 8', 28', 42', 54' Steyn (3/5) 60', 63', 80' | Report |
| Olympic Stadium, London Attendance: 54,658 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) |
| 17 October 2015 16:00 BST (UTC+01) |
| South Africa | 23–19 | Wales |
| Try: Du Preez 75' m Con: Pollard (0/1) Pen: Pollard (5/7) 9', 13', 17', 21', 62' Drop: Pollard 52' | Report [1] | Try: G. Davies 18' c Con: Biggar (1/1) 19' Pen: Biggar (3/4) 15', 47', 64' Drop: Biggar 40' |
| Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 79,572 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 24 October 2015 16:00 BST (UTC+01) |
| South Africa | 18–20 | New Zealand |
| Pen: Pollard (5/5) 3', 11', 21', 39', 58' Lambie (1/1) 69' | Report | Try: Kaino 6' c Barrett 52' c Con: Carter (2/2) 9', 53' Pen: Carter (1/2) 60' Drop: Carter 46' |
| Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 80,090 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
| 30 October 2015 20:00 GMT (UTC+00) |
| South Africa | 24–13 | Argentina |
| Try: Pietersen 6' c Etzebeth 43' m Con: Pollard (1/2) 7' Pen: Pollard (4/5) 14', 33', 40', 48' | Report [2] | Try: Orlandi 80' c Con: Sánchez (1/1) 80' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 52' Drop: Sánchez 42' |
| Olympic Stadium, London Attendance: 55,925 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 157 | 22 | +135 | 22 | 2 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 185 | 36 | +149 | 27 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 |  Italy | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 78 | +20 | 14 | 2 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 175 | −141 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 177 | −163 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 21 September 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| New Zealand | 23–13 | South Africa |
| Try: Bridge 24' c S. Barrett 27' c Con: Mo'unga (2/2) 25', 28' Pen: Mo'unga (2/3) 23', 67' B. Barrett (1/1) 72' | Report | Try: Du Toit 48' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 49' Pen: Pollard (1/2) 2' Drop: Pollard (1/1) 59' |
| International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 63,649 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
| 28 September 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) South Africa | 57–3 | Namibia |
| Try: Mbonambi (2) 10' c, 17' c Louw 15' m Mapimpi (2) 27' m, 54' c Am 42' c Gelant 48' c Kolisi 59' m Brits 64' c Con: E. Jantjies (6/9) 11', 19', 43', 50', 55', 66' | Report | Pen: Loubser (1/2) 24' |
| City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota Attendance: 36,449 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
| 4 October 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) South Africa | 49–3 | Italy |
| Try: Kolbe (2) 5' c, 52' m Mbonambi 26' c Am 57' c Mapimpi 67' c Snyman 75 m' Marx 80+2' m Con: Pollard (4/7) 6', 27', 59', 68' Pen: Pollard (2/2) 11', 50' | Report | Pen: Allan (1/1) 8' |
| Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi Attendance: 44,148 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 8 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) South Africa | 66–7 | Canada |
| Try: de Allende 3' c Nkosi 6' m Reinach (3) 10' c, 18' c, 21' c Gelant 28' c Steyn 40'+1 c Brits 55' c Willemse 66' c Malherbe 73' m Con: E. Jantjies (8/10) 3', 12', 20', 22', 29', 40'+2, 56', 68' | Report | Try: Heaton 46' c Con: Nelson (1/1) 48' |
| Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe Attendance: 28,014 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
| 20 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
| Japan | 3–26 | South Africa |
| Pen: Tamura (1/1) 20' | Report | Try: Mapimpi (2) 4' m, 70' m de Klerk 66' c Con: Pollard (1/3) 66' Pen: Pollard (3/4) 44', 49', 64' |
| Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 48,831 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 27 October 2019 18:00 JST (UTC+09) |
| Wales | 16–19 | South Africa |
| Try: Adams 65' c Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 66' Pen: Biggar (3/3) 18', 39', 46' | Report | Try: de Allende 57' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 58' Pen: Pollard (4/4) 15', 20', 35', 76' |
| International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 67,750 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
| 2 November 2019 18:00 JST (UTC+09) |
| England | 12–32 | South Africa |
| Pen: Farrell (4/5) 23', 35', 52', 60' | Report | Try: Mapimpi 66' c Kolbe 74' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 67', 75' Pen: Pollard (6/8) 10', 26', 39', 43', 46', 58' |
| International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 70,103 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
Overall record against all nations in the World Cup: [3]
| Country | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | For | Against | +/- | Winning percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 6 | 5 | - | 1 | 149 | 79 | +70 | 83,33 |
| Samoa | 5 | 5 | - | - | 220 | 42 | +178 | 100 |
| New Zealand | 6 | 3 | - | 3 | 89 | 113 | -24 | 50 |
| Wales | 3 | 3 | - | - | 59 | 51 | +8 | 100 |
| Scotland | 3 | 3 | - | - | 98 | 48 | +50 | 100 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | - | 2 | 57 | 56 | +1 | 33 |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | - | - | 61 | 26 | +35 | 100 |
| Canada | 2 | 2 | - | - | 86 | 7 | +79 | 100 |
| Fiji | 2 | 2 | - | - | 86 | 23 | +63 | 100 |
| France | 2 | 2 | - | - | 48 | 43 | +5 | 100 |
| Namibia | 2 | 2 | - | - | 144 | 3 | +141 | 100 |
| Romania | 2 | 2 | - | - | 97 | 8 | +89 | 100 |
| Tonga | 2 | 2 | - | - | 79 | 43 | +36 | 100 |
| United States | 2 | 2 | - | - | 128 | 15 | +113 | 100 |
| Uruguay | 2 | 2 | - | - | 111 | 9 | +102 | 100 |
| Japan | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 50 |
 Georgia | 1 | 1 | - | - | 46 | 19 | +27 | 100 |
| Italy | 1 | 1 | - | - | 49 | 3 | +46 | 100 |
| Spain | 1 | 1 | - | - | 47 | 3 | +44 | 100 |
| Ireland | 1 | - | - | 1 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 0 |
| Total | 50 | 42 | 0 | 8 | 1720 | 641 | +1079 | 84 |
The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams, the winners of which are recognised as the World champions of the sport.
The South Africa national rugby union team commonly known as the Springboks, is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union. The Springboks play in green and gold jerseys with white shorts. Their emblem is a native antelope, the Springbok, which is the national animal of South Africa. 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. 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. They are also the second nation to win the World Cup consecutively.
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. It was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia – New Zealand hosted 21 matches while Australia hosted 11 matches. The tournament was won by New Zealand, who were the strong favourites and won all their matches comfortably. New Zealand defeated France 29–9 in the final at Eden Park in Auckland. The New Zealand team was captained by David Kirk and included such rugby greats as Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and Michael Jones. Wales finished third, and Australia fourth, after conceding crucial tries in the dying seconds of both their semi-final against France and the third-place play-off against Wales.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup, was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country.
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France: at the time, the five European countries who participated in the Five Nations Championship. This was the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the northern hemisphere, with England the hosts of the final. Also for the first time, qualifying competitions were introduced as the number of entrants had increased from 16 nations four years before to a total of 33 countries. The eight quarter-finalists from 1987 qualified automatically with the remaining eight spots contested through qualifiers by 25 countries. This resulted in only one new side qualifying for the tournament, Western Samoa replacing Tonga. The same 16-team pool/knock-out format was used with just minor changes to the points system. South Africa was again not included because of sanctions imposed on the country by the IRB, due to the government's apartheid policies.
Rugby World Cup records have been accumulating since the first Rugby World Cup tournament was held in 1987.
The first Rugby Union World Cup was held in 1987, hosted by Australia and New Zealand who pushed for the tournament to be approved. Since the first tournament, 9 others have been held at four-year intervals.
The Rugby World Cup host nation is selected by World Rugby at a meeting six years before each tournament. Each of the Rugby World Cups from 1987 to 2015 were hosted by countries that are considered the traditional powers in World Rugby. The first non Rugby Championship or Six Nations country to host a Rugby World Cup was Japan in 2019, after failed bids for the 2011 and 2015 tournaments.
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, have played 56 matches so far in the nine Rugby World Cup tournaments from 1987 to 2019, with an additional match cancelled and unplayed. They won the 1987, 2011, and 2015 tournaments. Until 2023, they qualified in first place from every group until they lost their first pool match in 2023 RWC against France. Their worst performance was in 2007 when they lost a quarter-final to France. They have made it to at least the semi-finals at all the other tournaments.
The knockout stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup began on 6 October with a quarter-final between Australia and England and concluded on 20 October with the final, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, between England and South Africa, their second meeting in this tournament.
The England national team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. They have played 57 matches in ten tournaments, and won 42 for a winning record of 73.68%. Their best ever position was champions in 2003, whilst they have also participated in three other finals; the 2019 final, the 2007 final and the final of the 1991 competition. They have beaten one country five times, Argentina and three countries four times; Australia, United States and Samoa. Their worst record is against South Africa, who have defeated them in five of their six encounters.
Scotland have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.
The France national rugby team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. They are one of five teams who have played in the final match, having done so three times, losing and finishing second in the tournament each time. They have made it to at least the quarter-finals at every tournament.
The Rugby World Cup is a rugby union tournament held every four years and contested by the men's national teams of the member unions of World Rugby. The Wales national rugby union team has participated in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. Up to and including 2015, hosting of the tournament alternated between traditional rugby heartlands in the southern hemisphere and those in Europe. Wales was the primary host in 1999, with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium built to coincide with the event, and the other three tournaments played in Europe have also used venues in Wales to some degree. Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and its predecessor, the Cardiff Arms Park, will have hosted a total 21 matches over a total of four World Cups. This is the largest number of World Cup games hosted by one venue.
The Ireland national rugby union team have played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have reached the quarter-finals at all but two tournaments, but have yet to progress to the semi-finals. They have finished top of their pool on three occasions.
Eben Etzebeth is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and the South Africa national rugby team. He made his international debut for the Springboks in 2012 and has since won more than 100 caps. His regular playing position is as a number 4 lock.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup was the tenth men's Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national rugby union teams. It took place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. The opening game and final took place at the Stade de France, north of Paris. The tournament was held in the bicentenary year of the purported invention of the sport by William Webb Ellis.
The New Zealand women's national rugby union team, also known as the Black Ferns, have played 38 matches so far in eight of nine Women's Rugby World Cup tournaments in 1991, and from 1998 to 2021. They did not participate in the 1994 World Cup in Scotland due to a late cancellation.
The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, following the pool stage. Played from 14 to 28 October, the knockout stage will end with the final, held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination tournament. There will be 8 matches in the knockout stage, including a third-place play-off played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.
France women's national rugby union team has played 43 matches in every edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup since its inauguration in 1991. They have placed third in seven of nine tournaments, their worst placing was at the 1998 World Cup in Netherlands where they finished in eighth place.