Four years on from their shock loss to Japan, South Africa collected their third world title.
South Africa Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
South Africa put their years of struggle behind them at the 2019 Rugby World Cup after winning against England in the final.
How They Qualified
South Africa were one of of the 12 automatic qualifiers for the 2019 tournament.
Key Players
Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s first-ever black captain, and hooker Malcolm Marx are world-class forwards, while Wasps’ Willie le Roux is a sublime playmaker. Faf de Klerk injects energy at nine and is considered by many to be the best in the world.
Quality: Kolisi (C), Marx (L), and De Klerk (far right) are key to the Springboks success (Getty Images)
The Coach – Rassie Erasmus
Erasmus has the gig for the next two World Cups after being spirited away from Munster. The ex-Boks flanker took over from Allister Coetzee, who paid the price for a 44% win record.
Improving: Rassie Erasmus is making progress with the Springboks (Getty Images)
Major Work-ons
Early signs during his tenure suggested a paucity of midfield talent, but they have improved in 2019. Handre Pollard looks good at fly-half but his back-up, Elton Jantjies, has been found wanting in pressure matches.
South Africa Rugby World Cup Warm-ups
- Saturday 20 July 2019: South Africa 35-17 Australia
- Saturday 27 July 2019: New Zealand 16-16 South Africa
- Saturday 10 August 2019: Argentina 13-46 South Africa
- Saturday 17 August 2019: South Africa 24-18 Argentina
- Friday 6 September 2019: Japan 7-41 South Africa
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Warm-ups
South Africa Rugby World Cup Group
South Africa are in Group B alongside New Zealand, Italy, Namibia and Canada.
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Groups
South Africa Rugby World Cup Kit
South Africa Rugby World Cup Fixtures
- Sat 21 Sep New Zealand 23-13 South Africa (Yokohama) Match report
- Sat 28 Sep South Africa 57-3 Namibia (Toyota) Match Report
- Fri 4 Oct South Africa 49-3 Italy (Shizuoka) Match Report
- Tue 8 Oct South Africa 66-7 Canada (Kobe) Match Report
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Sun 20 Oct QF4 Japan 3-26 South Africa (Tokyo) Match Report
- Sun 27 Oct SF2 Wales 16-19 South Africa (Yokohama) Match Report
- Sat 2 Nov RWC 2019 Final England 12-32 South Africa (Yokohama) Match Report
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Namibia Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
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Canada Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
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Pivotal: South Africa play the All Blacks and the winner will likely decide the group winner in 2019 (Getty Images)
South Africa Rugby World Cup Squad
Rassie Erasmus has named his World Cup squad below;
Forwards (17):
Schalk Brits
Lood de Jager
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Eben Etzebeth
Steven Kitshoff
Vincent Koch
Siya Kolisi
Francois Louw
Frans Malherbe
Malcolm Marx
Bongi Mbonambi
Franco Mostert
Tendai Mtawarira
Trevor Nyakane (replaced by Thomas du Toit on Monday 23 September after suffering a torn calf)
Kwagga Smith
RG Snyman
Duane Vermeuelen
Backs (14):
Lukhanyo Am
Damian de Allende
Faf de Klerk
Warrick Gelant
Elton Jantjies
Herschel Jantjies
Cheslin Kolbe
Jesse Kriel (replaced by Damian Willemse after picking up a hamstring injury)
Willie le Roux
Makazole Mapimpi
Sbu Nkosi
Handre Pollard
Cobus Reinach
Frans Steyn
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Fixtures
Previous World Cup Results and Record
South Africa’s Rugby World Cup Record: P36 W30 D0 L6
- 1995 Champions
- 1999 Third
- 2003 Quarter-finals
- 2007 Champions
- 2011 Quarter-finals
- 2015 Third
- 2019 Champions
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