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The Boks and the All Blacks have been here before.

The last time the South African team had a face-off with the New Zealanders at a Rugby World Cup final was in 1995.

I was only one at the time, so I was not able to watch or hear the game on TV or radio, but I have heard enough to know that this final was epic. It was the first major sporting event that our newly democratic country hosted since the end of the Apartheid regime, where the Boks were used as a sterling tool to show the world how “white” and “civilised” SA was.

It was also the first World Cup that South Africa was able to compete in following the 1987 and 1991 iterations where the Boks were not allowed to compete in international rugby. So that 1995 game meant A LOT to our country.

Led by the valiant captain Francois Pienaar, the team made it all the way to the final where they met the All Blacks for the epic battle. Now, the teams are at it again, and Bok assistant coach Deon Davids is expecting another colossal clash, per IOL.

“As kids, we grew up listening to the radio on the battles between the All Blacks and South Africa, listening to the stories of the heroes from both teams over the years,” Davids said.

“It has a big part of our rugby history, the Springboks and the All Blacks, and every time we play each other it is always a special battle and I don’t think this one will be different. I think it will maybe go to a different level in terms of the competition between the players because there is excellent talent in both teams.

Okes are gearing up on both sides:

It all comes down to this – a date with destiny 🏆🇿🇦#StrongerTogether #Springboks #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/whFfcudP1P

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 23, 2023

Another chapter is about to be written. #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/JEPirmxP3f

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 22, 2023

Davids said that the team is very privileged and humbled to have made it so far, a part of such a big week leading to the final. He said that “it is going to come how the teams handle the pressure, who executes the best, or maybe one brilliant moment from one individual who turns things around”.

The Boks were disappointing after losing to the All Blacks in Auckland this year, but then, they managed to kick the Kiwis with a record defeat at Twickenham a few weeks prior to the World Cup. Nontheless, Davids says those games don’t actually count going into the final, as this is a totally new and much larger game with a whole new set of circumstances.

“We will have to be on top of our plan and our execution this week because New Zealand have been playing excellent rugby throughout the competition. They are in a really good space, so we need to make sure we tick a lot of boxes in our preparation.”

The prep will have to be on point because there are concerns that, since the Boks have been in some of the most difficult pools at the World Cup, there might not be so much fuel left in their tanks.

“At a World Cup you have to get on with the hand you have been dealt,” Davids said. “We have played against teams in excellent form. Last week it was France at home — I don’t think it gets bigger than that — and this week a formidable England team that pitched up and played very well. We really had to battle it out,” Davids said.

“But applause for our players for turning the match around. It is a testament to their character. I’ve been in these types of situations a couple of times, understanding how we operate as a squad, whether you start or whether you come off the bench, trying to adapt and making plans on the run. Hopefully, in the final, we won’t be in a similar situation.”