Johannesburg - While New Zealand will be favourites to win the ultimate prize in rugby later this year, 1995 Springbok World Cup winning centre Japie Mulder believes you can never write off the South African challenge.
Mulder, perhaps best known for his try-saving tackle of giant Kiwi wing Jonah Lomu in the final, said predicting the fate of the Springboks for the World Cup can prove way off the mark.
“It depends on what side they pick. We were never given a chance in 1995, the people said if we make the quarters we will have done well,” said Mulder on Wednesday, when members of the 1995 Springbok team met up at Ellis Park to commemorate the 20-year anniversary since they won the Rugby World Cup for the first time.
“It’s the same thing here, anything can happen in a World Cup year. One funny bounce of the ball and the game is won. I will never write any South African side off.”
On the topic of the fitness and form of Springbok centre and captain Jean de Villiers who is hoping to be fit for THE World Cup after picking up a horror knee injury in September last year, Mulder did not think there was enough time for the player.
“To come back from an injury like that, I just don’t know if he’s got enough time. It’s not just the injury. Even if the knee is right, it’s a psychological thing he has to cross. That to me is the biggest threat. He might be ready physically, but mentally will be the biggest challenge.
“I think there are enough centres. Obviously Jean will be missed if he doesn’t make it. But I think there’s enough talent in this country to put up a proper midfield.”
Thinking back to the final on South AfricaN soil, Mulder said he was still constantly reminded of the tackle he made on Lomu.
“People still talk about that tackle for some reason 20 years later. People think it’s the only tackle I made in my life, but I’m happy with that.
“Thank god he went down, because if I missed I would have been the biggest villain in South Africa until today.”
Mulder could still recall the superhuman effort it took to overcome the All Blacks in the final 15-12 in extra-time.
“When the final whistle went I thought we were sharing the World Cup. I don’t think any of us realised we had to play extra time. Then Francois [Pienaar] said this is where we are going to win it. Honestly, we all believed we were the fittest side. When the final whistle went it was the biggest relief of my life. At that moment all the energy just went out of me.”
For England as hosts of the World Cup starting in September, the pressure to win the title would be incredible explained Mulder.
“It’s the biggest event for any rugby player so the nerves are in a different bracket. If you played 100 provincial games it still wouldn’t touch that feeling of the World Cup final on your home ground, especially like it was for us Transvaal boys back in ’95. That expectation and pressure we knew we would never experience again.”
ANA