2019 Rugby Championship Grand Slam
The Springboks are the reigning world champions and have won the Rugby World Cup four times, more than any other country.
The South Africa national rugby union team, commonly known as the Springboks, is the country's national team, governed by the South African Rugby Union. The team play in green and gold jerseys with white shorts, and their emblem is the springbok. Their first test match was on 30 July 1891 against a British Isles touring team. The Springboks are the reigning world champions and have won the Rugby World Cup four times (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023), more than any other country.
- Key Achievement
- First Rugby Championship title for South Africa since 2009, secured with a draw against New Zealand in Wellington
Lore & Background
The Springboks also compete in the annual Rugby Championship (previously the Tri-Nations), along with Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. They have won the Championship six times in 29 competitions and are the only team to have won the competition and the World Cup in the same year.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Ellis Park was thick with anticipation as the final whistle approached. The scoreboard read a narrow victory against the All Blacks, but the significance of the moment transcended the points. Siya Kolisi looked around at his teammates, mud-streaked and exhausted, knowing they had just etched their names into history. For the first time in the tournament's existence, the Springbok jersey had conquered every rival in the Southern Hemisphere without dropping a single point.
Reader's Guide
Rugby union is a highly popular sport in South Africa, often attracting the country's most talented athletes. Many teams have suffered their biggest record defeats to the Springboks, including Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, Uruguay and Wales.
Did You Know?
- The Springboks are the reigning world champions and have won the Rugby World Cup four times (1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023), more than any other country.
- The Springboks' victory over New Zealand, 15–12 in the 1995 final is remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history.
- Sixteen former Springboks and influential South Africans have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term 2019 Rugby Championship Grand Slam refer to for the Springboks?
It describes the team's historic achievement of winning every match in that specific tournament cycle. South Africa defeated all three rivals to claim their first-ever clean sweep in this competition.
Who were the key leaders guiding the squad during this campaign?
Head coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi directed the team's strategy and on-field performance. Their partnership was instrumental in driving a shift toward sharper tactics and physical intensity.
Which nations did South Africa overcome to secure this record?
The Boks claimed victory against Argentina, Australia, and the New Zealand All Blacks within one season. Defeating New Zealand served as the final hurdle to complete the set of wins required for the title.
Why is this specific tournament result historically significant?
It stands as the only time in history that South Africa has achieved a Grand Slam within the Rugby Championship format. This success validated the new coaching philosophy before their World Cup triumph later that year.
How did this performance impact the team's reputation globally?
The campaign demonstrated sheer command over their Southern Hemisphere rivals through consistent dominance. It established the Springboks as a formidable force capable of controlling matches against top-tier opposition.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the South Africa Springboks universe
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