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Analysts, Fans Ready for Historic Springboks, All Blacks World Cup Clash


This combination of photographs created on October 26, 2023, South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi (L) and New Zealand's Sam Cane (R)
This combination of photographs created on October 26, 2023, South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi (L) and New Zealand's Sam Cane (R)

Sports analysts and rugby fans are readying for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final between South Africa's "Springboks" facing New Zealand's "All Blacks."

Saturday's fixture is set to be a repeat of the 1995 tournament where the two sides met at Ellis Park Stadium, in South Africa’s most populous city, Johannesburg.

The 1995 tournament marked a series of firsts for the South African team — the first time the Springboks hosted the tournament, made it to the finals and lifted the Web Ellis Cup.

Prior to 1995 matchup against South Africa, New Zealand won the tournament in 1987.

The 2023 final will mark another historic moment for the Rugby World Cup — the first time a rugby team will lift the cup for a fourth time.

Both the Springboks and All Blacks have lifted the trophy three times.

Vaylen Kirtley, sports editor for Newzroom Afrika, said Saturday's clash "is a storied rivalry between these two nations."

Speaking to VOA from Paris, the host city of the 2023 cup, Kirtley said even for "neutral fans" this rugby final will be momentous.

"Siya Kolisi (South Africa's captain) said this is the biggest test match of his career and as a youngster he daydreamed of playing New Zealand in a rugby world cup final," Kirtley said.

FILE - South African rugby captain Francios Pienaar, center, raises the Rugby World Cup trophy after receiving it from South African President Nelson Mandela, left, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, June 24, 1995.
FILE - South African rugby captain Francios Pienaar, center, raises the Rugby World Cup trophy after receiving it from South African President Nelson Mandela, left, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, June 24, 1995.

Speaking during a press conference Thursday, Kolisi said the moment is beyond a dream.

"It's huge, it's always big playing against the All Blacks but to play them in a World Cup final when it's number one and two team in the world playing head-to-head, I don’t think that it's stuff that you can dream about because it doesn't happen often," he said.

The South African rugby leader said his team will put on a performance to inspire future generations.

"For us is for someone who is my position right now, who are when I was a kid, for them to know that, yes, it's a season that they are going through. It's a tough time but it's possible for them to get out of it," Kolisi said.

New Zealand's captain Sam Cane matched the confidence expressed by Kolisi.

The All Blacks are ready for victory, Cane said.

"We've played two finals, two knockouts. It might be more actually. In a row. So, I trust that we are in a good spot there because we have done a lot of physical and mental preps," he said during a press conference.

The rivals announced their starting line-ups for Saturday's clash earlier this week.

The All Blacks have a mixed line-up comprised of debutants at the World Cup finals and seasoned players who will be representing their nation.

34-year-old Scrumhalf Aaron Smith — New Zealand's most capped backline player who represented the nation on over 124 occasions — is among the All Blacks are set for retirement after the final.

The Springboks included Handre Pollard — the player who shattered England's dreams last weekend after converting the last penalty in the semi-finals — and Bongi Mbonambi, who was cleared after an investigation for alleged slurs against England's Tom Curry.

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