London – South Africa took a big stride towards the quarter-finals of the 2015 Rugby World Cup after their Pool B match at St James’s Park against Scotland ended in a solid 34-16 victory on Saturday.
The win, which put them top of the table, was the cherry on top of what had already been a special day for South Africa after World Rugby announced that Nelson Mandela had been posthumously inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
The special ceremony took place before the Springboks’ match against Scotland.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset presented the coveted Hall of Fame cap to Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen and Francois Pienaar, captain of the South African team that won the Rugby World Cup 1995 on home soil.
“The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.
“Mandela certainly fits in that category. He was instrumental in turning Rugby World Cup 1995 into a momentous occasion that united the South African nation through the power of sport,” Lapasset said.
“Now, 20 years on from that historic tournament, we are delighted to induct the former president into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
“It is a fitting tribute to a man who did so much for his country and our sport.”
Saru President Oregan Hoskins also paid tribute to Mandela.
“Madiba was a great man of vision, determination and integrity who performed a miracle that amazed the world as much as it amazed his fellow countrymen. His name will rank among the greatest humanitarians and this induction reflects rugby’s ever-lasting friendship and appreciation for a great man.”
The Springboks, who were powerful and clinical, if not quite enterprising, against the Tartan Army, now turn their attention to their final pool game against the US on Wednesday, which may well be an opportunity for coach Heyneke Meyer to field some of his fringe players before the business end of the tournament.
Yesterday’s victory was also watched by the Proteas team in Cuttack, India. The cricketers found a projector and huddled as a squad to lend support, tweeting, “Proteas getting behind the Boks all the way in Cuttack, India. All the best!”
There was relief on the faces of Meyer and captain Fourie du Preez after the game, but they said the players would not take their feet off the accelerator on Wednesday against the US.
“We’ve come a cropper before against a so-called smaller union, we are not going down that road again,” said Meyer.
The win takes the Boks to the top of Pool B with one match to go before the quarters and Du Preez added to the words of his coach when he said: “I have never experienced pressure in rugby as I have over the last two weeks since the defeat against Japan, not even in the 2007 World Cup when we were at the knock-out stage.
“And we have responded with back-to-back wins.”