The Springbok rugby frenzy has reached fever pitch as the nation awaits Saturday’s highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final clash with England.
In a delightful twist, sports fans are in for a double treat, as the country’s cricket team, the Proteas, is set to face the English Roses in the ICC Cricket World Cup earlier on Saturday.
Kickoff – 9 pm SAST
Per the usual match call time, kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. (SAST) at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The semi-final between England and South Africa is a rematch of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, in which South Africa won 32-12.
Friday’s semi-final between Argentina and New Zealand will be the third time Argentina has reached this tournament stage, but they have never gone further.
These semi-finals culminate some of the most competitive rugby we have seen in this World Cup.
Both matches feature some of the best teams in the world. Fans can expect gruelling physical prowess, tactical battles, and high-quality rugby from all four teams. The winners of the semi-finals will advance to the final, which will take place on October 28 at the Stade de France.
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup: Here’s what the All Blacks and England will be watching after Boks defeat France
Springbok mania
Should the Springboks win against England on Saturday, the final match (if New Zealand wins on Friday against Argentina) will bring together the two strongest rugby teams in the Southern Hemisphere.
That match will likely invoke the spirit of South Africa’s late and beloved president and father of the Rainbow Nation, Nelson Mandela.
Mandela cleverly used sports to unite a divided nation. In 1995, the Rugby World Cup Final match took place just a year after the country’s first democratic elections, and tensions were still high between the White community and SA’s oppressed majority.
But Mabida’s magic worked wonders in the 95 Rugby World Cup against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. The Springboks defeated the world’s strongest and best rugby team of all time and brought a divided nation together.
As the years progressed, Springbok fandom has gained popularity, and today, the Boks fans stretch across all races and cultures in South Africa.
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup: Crunch time as South African Springboks tackle the French hosts
Video compilation: How Springbok fans put aside differences to support the Boks
Springboks defeat France: reactions
@heres_laurie The celebration in our complex after South Africa beat France. Proud is an understatement. Our hearts are green and gold ???????? #springboks #southafrica #rugby #rugbyworldcup #rugbywprldcup2023 #fyp #foryoupage #tiktoksouthafrica #tiktoksouthafrica???????? ♬ original sound – Lauren Arointjies
@luckyfortunem Best place to watch the World Cup outside of France has to be in Cape Town, even the malls are packed on a Sunday in the middle of the night
♬ original sound – Lucky Fortune
@rugbypass That look they gave each other ???? They knew they were going to a Rugby World Cup semifinal after that ???? #RWC2023 #Rugby #Springboks ♬ original sound – RugbyPass
@shawneereid All I can say is YOH this moment made my year ! ???????????????????????? France knows how to make a South African happy.. What a blast we had supporting our Bokke with @energadesa #fuelingchampions An unforgettable experience indeed. No matter the end score of the game , you could still feel the unity of our people and too see Southa’s come out in numbers to support our boys was incredible maan! Yes South Africa’s vibe took over France ! ???? #energade30years #gameday #springboks #rwc #southafrica #rwc2023 ♬ original sound – shawnee_reid
@rkarriem_ragz #SAMA28 #RWC2023 #france???????? #southafrica???????? ♬ Nkalakatha – Mandoza
@ljk_ent Kobus killed it; thanks to our @Springboks.rugby ???????????? #nkalakatha #nkalakathachallange #springboks #boks #SAMA28 #tiktoksa #fypシ #LetsInspireEachOther #foryourpage #rugby #rugbywc2023 ♬ original sound – LJK Entertainment
@lelethumarwana14 #springboksupporter???????? ????????????♀️ #Rugby???? ♬ original sound – lelethumarwana14
@kabelomoumakwe Replying to @lucindiventer3 ♬ original sound – Kabelo Moumakwe
@gaow77 What a game ????#rugby #worldcuprugby #rsa #mzansi #win ♬ original sound – Allyssa Boulianne
@the_south_african_desi An epic moment during our Hindu festival of Navratri ✨ Supporting @Springboks.rugby and celebrating our divine mother ???????? ???? #Bokke #greenandgold #GoBokke #SpringBoks #goforgold #moerhulle #SpringBoks ♬ original sound – The South African Desi
@ashley24062017 #SAMA28 #fypシ ♬ original sound – Ashley Waite
@colourme__sim GOOD LUCK BOKKES!!! #colourmesim #RugbyWorldCup2023 #Springboks ♬ Flash Cortez Phambili Nge War Cover – Flash Cortez
@lwa_ziii Pov: He’d really love to go to the finals to see Eben, lets tag @Rugby World Cup , @Springboks.rugby and @Eben Etzebeth till they see this ???????????? #SAMA28 #lwazizulu #worldcup #RSA #springboksrugby #fyp #viral #rwc2023 ♬ original sound – Jesus’ Baby Girl????????????
@minjae0307 South Africa ???????? this Monday be like… @Springboks.rugby Lekker boytjies! #rugby #rugbyworldcup #southafricarugby ♬ original sound – Min-Jae Cho
