Final: Stransky's Drop Goal
South Africa v New Zealand, 15-12
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 24 June 1995)
This was the greatest occasion of the first four World Cups – the party atmosphere, the colourful, cheerful closing ceremony, the Boeing flying just above the stadium to wish the Boks well and then a match which ran into extra-time and the unforgettable sight of the President Nelson Mandela in his No.6 jersey, one of the emotional figures of history, handing the trophy to the captain in his No.6 jersey.
And a divided nation danced happily in the streets to the same tune.
It was a match without a single try, as happened again in 2007 when again South Africa won. It was the first World Cup Final to run into extra time. Kicks counted and it was the greatest kick in the history of the game that decided the outcome – a soaring drop-goal from a scrum kicked by Joel Stransky, the Springbok flyhalf.
Again, as in 1991, and again in 2007, defence won. The All Blacks attacked the Springboks tackled. They even subdued the might of Jonah Lomu, scrambling past each other to get at the All Black giant who had so destroyed England.
In the first half Stransky kicked two penalties and a drop-goal, Andrew Mehrtens two penalties. Mehrtens kicked a second penalty in the second half and then missed a "sitter" of a drop-goal.
There had been slim chances to score tries. Japie Mulder tackled Lomu into touch at the corner, James Small ran free only to be recalled for a forward pass. Reuben Kruger believed he did score.
Normal time elapsed and the teams went into exhausting extra time, 10 minutes each way.
Mehrtens scored first with a long penalty goal. Just before half-time in extra time Stransky levelled the scores.
In the last 10 minutes the Springboks dominated and eventually Stransky dropped the goal and Nelson Mandela gave François Pienaar – and 43 million other South Africans – the World Cup.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Pens: Stransky 3
DGs: Stransky 2
For New Zealand:
Pens: Mehrtens 3
DG: Mehrtens
Teams:
South Africa: André Joubert, James Small, Japie Mulder, Hennie le Roux, Chester Williams, Joel Stransky, Joost van der Westhuizen, Mark Andrews, François Pienaar (captain), Ruben Kruger, Kobus Wiese, Hannes Strydom, Balie Swart, Chris Rossouw, Os du Randt.
Replacements: Garry Pagel, Rudolf Straeuli, Brendan Venter
New Zealand: Glen Osborne, Jeff Wilson, Walter Little, Frank Bunce, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Graeme Bachop, Zinzan Brooke, Josh Kronfeld, Mike Brewer, Ian Jones, Robin Brooke, Craig Dowd, Sean Fitzpatrick (captain), Olo Brown.
Replacements: Marc Ellis, Jamie Joseph, Richard Loe, Ant Strachan
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)
