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1995 History

1995 - Winners: South Africa

Runners-up: New Zealand

South Africa marked their return to the rugby world stage with a win at their first attempt and in truth were fitting winners - even if New Zealand might not see it that way.

The host nation, playing their first World Cup after years in isolation due to the apartheid regime, proved they hadn't lost their touch in the opening clash as they defeated defending champions Australia 27-18.

The Springboks appeared less assured in beating Romania 21-18 and Canada 20-0 but comfortably progressed to the quarter-finals where they overcame Samoa. Ireland again reached the quarters, beating Wales and Japan en route, but were no match for France in the knock-out stages, while New Zealand saw off Scotland 48-30.

But the real drama was in Cape Town, where England avenged their 1991 defeat to Australia when a last-minute Rob Andrew drop-goal sent them into the semi-finals.

Unfortunately for the English, Jonah Lomu was waiting. The All Black wing, playing in his first tournament and at the peak of his considerable powers, blew England apart in a four-try demolition job and gave poor old Mike Catt the sort of afternoon he will not wish to be reminded of.

The final was an emotional, sometimes tense, affair with the host nation desperate to heal the scars of 40 years of apartheid. Joel Stransky's extra-time drop goal saw to that and the images of Nelson Mandela handing the trophy to Francois Pienaar remains a defining moment in the country's recent history.

The All Blacks later revealed they had been suffering from a mystery illness that was later claimed to be the result of a food-poisoning waitress in the team hotel called "Suzie". Other, perhaps more credible, reports suggest the bout of illness was the result of an unauthorised trip to a seafood restaurant by a number of players.

Final
South Africa	15 - 12	New Zealand

3rd Place Play-Off
France	19 - 9	England

Semi Finals
France	15 - 19	South Africa
New Zealand	45 - 29	England

Quarter Finals
France	36 - 12	Ireland
South Africa	42 - 14	Samoa
England	25 - 22	Australia
New Zealand	48 - 30	Scotland

Pool A
Australia	18 - 27	South Africa
Canada	34 - 3	Romania
South Africa	21 - 8	Romania
Australia	27 - 11	Canada
Australia	42 - 3	Romania
South Africa	20 - 0	Canada

Pool B
Samoa	42 - 18	Italy
England	24 - 18	Argentina
Samoa	32 - 26	Argentina
England	27 - 20	Italy
Argentina	25 - 31	Italy
England	44 - 22	Samoa

Pool C
Wales	57 - 10	Japan
New Zealand	43 - 19	Ireland
Wales	9 - 34	New Zealand
Ireland	50 - 28	Japan
Wales	23 - 24	Ireland
New Zealand	145 - 17	Japan

Pool D
Scotland	89 - 0	Cote D'Ivoire
France	38 - 10	Tonga
France	54 - 18	Cote D'Ivoire
Scotland	41 - 5	Tonga
Tonga	29 - 11	Cote D'Ivoire
Scotland	19 - 22	France