Where were you when we won ‘95 Cup?

Independent Chief Sports Writer Kevin McCallum celebrates South Africa's Rugby World Cup and perhaps its finest sporting moment. Picture: Ross Setford

Independent Chief Sports Writer Kevin McCallum celebrates South Africa's Rugby World Cup and perhaps its finest sporting moment. Picture: Ross Setford

Published May 25, 2015

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Twenty years ago today, Pieter Hendriks did not score South Africa’s first try of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

He got the five points, but he never grounded the ball, pulling off a dummy that was bought by the Australians, the Welsh referee Derek Bevan and the entire rugby planet as he tried to dot down closer to the posts.

Hendriks told the story to David O’Sullivan for our book on South African sporting trivia. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a whirl of stories, a time of tales and hope, pride and celebration. It was a “where were you when?” time. Where were you when Joel Stransky took an inside pass from Joost van der Westhuizen, who had worked an eight-nine move with Rudolf Straeuli to score the decisive try against Australia at Newlands 20 years ago today? I was at the Pirates Sports Club in Greenside, getting royally trollied. The World Cup was also a time of drinking, lots of drinking.

Where were you when James Dalton got sent off against Canada when the Battle of Boet Erasmus broke out? I was at a pub at the Randburg Waterfront. Where were you when the Springboks won the World Cup final? I was back at Pirates. It seemed the right thing to do to end the tournament where I had started it. I only went to one game at the World Cup, Ireland v Wales at Ellis Park. My World Cup was watched on the telly. I went to the next four World Cups on the trot: Wales as a happy tourist, and Australia, France and New Zealand as a writer. Wales was memorable for the two semi-finals – two games that did the game proud – and for the drunk English fan who chanted “four more years” at the All Black fan as the Kiwis lost to France at Twickenham. Australia were gracious hosts, although the Springboks were suspicious guests and were never in the right frame of mind to go beyond the quarter-finals.

I met the Georgian ambassador at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Subiaco in Perth, which was home to the Georgian supporters club. The self-styled ambassador was of royal stock, or so he told me as he fleeced me in the most royal way through several rounds of beers.

In 2003, the Springbok team management took offence at a piece I had written suggesting they had such strength in depth when it came to their loose forwards that they could drop Corné Krige if they liked. The headline did not quite reflect that, saying: “Krige to be dropped.” At the presser the next day, I was singled out by Rudolph Straeuli and Krige, while Van der Westhuizen gave me the dirtiest of looks. Joe van Niekerk, obviously, hadn’t been briefed that I was to be given short shrift and gave me a big smile and a loud, “Howzit, Kev.” The Boks cancelled pressers for the rest of the week ahead of the Samoa match apparently because of my piece. We all kissed and made up in Melbourne, shortly before the Boks got knocked out by the All Blacks.

In 2007, the Boks had learnt their lesson and were perhaps the most open group of players at the tournament for the media. We were based mainly in Paris, with the odd jaunt to Montpellier, where I celebrated my 40th birthday in an Australian bar run by a South African, and Marseille, the latter being the pivotal weekend of the tournament. Australia were undone by England, South Africa were almost undone by Fiji, and on a huge screen floated on a stage in the old port, we watched as the All Blacks were undone by France. And Wayne Barnes, but mainly France.

It was the street party to end all street parties. Marseille kicked off and woke up with the mother of all hangovers.

And, so, to New Zealand almost four years ago, which may just have been the greatest tournament of them all, save, naturally, for 1995. They may never host the World Cup again, but, my God, did they give the 2011 tournament a good tonk. No one moment stands out, save for the hospitality of the Wellington tourist people, who wined and dined us with such generosity, I am still struggling to lose the weight I put on there.

Today we celebrate South Africa’s Rugby World Cup and perhaps its finest sporting moment. There is a month of celebrating memories to be done. First round is on me.

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