They were branded a second-rate team at the time. But the 1995 Springboks stunned everyone to become the world champions.
Last night, members of the iconic squad urged Bafana Bafana to take a leaf out of their book, feed off the incredible energy of home-ground advantage, and win next year's World Cup.
South Africa's national soccer team has had a dismal showing recently, losing eight games in a row.
But the legendary Springboks of yester-year said home-ground advantage must never be underestimated.
Months before the Rugby World Cup in 1995 - just a year after South Africa became a democracy - journalists tore into the Springbok management for its selection of players, describing them as second-rate.
One columnist wrote at the time that if the Springboks wanted to mount a serious World Cup challenge, they needed to "go up not one, but three or four gears".
This came after the Boks struggled to beat Western Province.
These days, the same could be said for Bafana.
"Bafana Bafana's loss to lowly Iceland proved what some of us have been advocating for months - that the national team is a mediocre team led by a clueless coach," as one columnist wrote in October.
But all may not be lost.
At least four Springbok veterans said there may be some hope yet for the national side, which is ranked 86th in the world.
"We were the underdogs in the 1995 World Cup tournament," said Morne du Plessis, "and so are Bafana Bafana. Everyone wrote us off because of our dismal performances. But we had support from our own people. The energy that the players felt when they ran out onto the pitches was amazing. And they fed off it. I have no doubt that Bafana Bafana will do the same."
Rugby's former bad boy, James Dalton, said the Bafana players should unite as a team and enjoy the hype.
"We had a great management team who motivated us to believe in ourselves. We just enjoyed the tournament, and with that came less pressure and nervousness.
"Bafana Bafana should do just that because with that comes the power to unleash their talent and abilities. There are going to be many challenges, but they must remember that no matter how they fared in recent games, the nation will still be behind them every step of the way," Dalton said.
Former Springbok Chester Williams said the Springboks' win in 1995 was largely due to the "astounding" and unwavering support they received from fans and supporters.
"Don't ever underestimate the power of home-ground advantage. It instils a belief and confidence to win," said Williams.
Former Bok lock Kobus Wiese agrees: "(South Africans) are generally a fanatical sporting country. It's what brings us together.
"Just as we used that psychological advantage of having the crowd behind us in 1995, so too will Bafana Bafana.
"We will be surprised."
See Page 17: Reliving the glory days of 1995