During the semi-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in Durban, the match between the Springboks and France was seriously complicated by extreme downpours. The atmosphere before the game was tense, as the weather created conditions that threatened to derail the match.
A witness to the match recalled that under the monsoon rains in Durban during the World Cup semi-final, the situation was extremely difficult. The rain was so heavy it seemed like a fire hose was hitting the stadium. The start of the game was delayed by ninety minutes because the Welsh referee, Derek Bevan, feared that a forward might drown if the scrum collapsed in deep puddles.
The Springbok management, facing the possibility of the match being called off, was in a state of panic. If cancelled, France could have advanced to the final due to a better disciplinary record in the tournament, as hooker Bok James Dalton had received a red card in the previous match against Canada in Port Elizabeth. Various technological solutions were discussed, including using water-absorbing machines from the neighboring golf club Durban Country Club and calling in Air Force helicopters to disperse moisture, although the latter would have been dangerous for spectators.
Despite all the talk of using technology, it was ironic that the situation was saved by women who came onto the field with buckets and mops, performing the work manually. Eventually, the game took place, and France approached a goal that could have been a winning try as time ran out. Earlier, James Small and Andre Joubert had kicked high balls into the Bok 22 area, leading to French attacks. The Springboks managed to hold the defense, but when forward Abdelatif Bennazi picked up the ball just three yards from the line, Small heroically lunged onto the line, diving over the try line in a 'kamikaze' style to prevent Bennazi from grounding the ball.
After the final whistle, Bevan, the jubilant Springboks scattered, splashing water, while the disappointed French sank into the mud and wept. Twenty-five years later, Bali Swart, the tighthead prop of that game, shared his memories. He recounted that in the morning before the game, a huge cloud obstruction hung over the Indian Ocean, and he noted that the rain was unusual. Upon arriving at the stadium, they could not get onto the field because it had turned into a lake.
Swart remembered discussing the game in the locker room, where Andre Joubert used a special finned glove after an injury in the quarter-final against Samoa. During warm-ups, manager Morne (du Plessis) announced the delay of the match start, and the team waited, wondering if their World Cup had ended. After the second delay, they warmed up for the fourth time. When they finally took the field, they were met with a sea of colors, and they saw many South African flags waving in the rain.
He noted that playing as a forward was difficult because most of the time they were chasing the ball, and trying to control the ball would have been madness due to the heavy and wet pitch. The second half of the game was tough: during one ruck, Bennazi crashed into him, and he felt pain in his ribs. Despite this, he kept playing until the pain became unbearable. During the last scrums near the try line, when the Springboks led 19-15, he decided he should be substituted if he couldn't give 100 percent effort. After the first scrum collapsed, he told Kobus he was done. Kobus responded with harsh words but then added that they needed to move forward, not backward.
Swart explained that the victory was achieved through 'spirit', adrenaline, and foolishness, but perhaps the decisive factor was the support of the crowd in that corner, shouting 'Bokke! Bokke!'. After the final whistle, he gathered with two other forwards in a circle, crying with relief. A week later, in the dry conditions of Ellis Park, the Springboks became world champions.
Ahead of Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to focus national efforts on tackling deep-seated issues of poverty, hunger, and social isolation.
In a weekly dispatch, President Ramaphosa noted that this day serves as a global call to action aimed at leveraging Madiba's legacy to confront universal hardships. The international theme for 2026 is 'It is up to us to fight poverty and inequality.' The President strongly urged citizens to view their volunteer work not as a one-off event, but as part of a larger, systemic mission to achieve sustainable societal change.
In response to this call, non-profit organizations across Durban are mobilizing to translate this legacy into tangible aid. Leading these efforts is the Aged Care Association (Tafta), which has launched the 'Sisonke – We are together' campaign. This campaign calls on communities to support vulnerable elderly individuals within Tafta's 13 residential, care, and community facilities.
Tafta CEO, Femada Shamam, emphasized that the campaign's goal is to build long-term relationships rather than conduct one-day events. She explained that 'Sisonke' means 'we are together,' which is what the campaign represents. According to her, any act of kindness—whether donating an item, sponsoring a project, offering skills, or simply dedicating time—contributes to creating conditions where the elderly can live with dignity, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Support for Tafta can be provided by donating necessary goods, sponsoring mobility equipment, or offering professional skills for ongoing infrastructure work. These works include upgrading nursing homes at John Conradie House, improving Wi-Fi connectivity at Cambridge Gardens, installing new furniture at Tafta Park Care Cottage, and replacing gates at St Martin's Village. Financial contributions to the Sisonke for Madiba campaign are also welcomed to cover the most pressing needs.
In addition to assisting the elderly, several other local organizations are organizing events this Saturday, offering residents various ways to fulfill their 67 minutes of selfless service.
Among these events is a blood drive organized by the Rotary Club of Chatsworth, Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns, and the South African National Blood Service. This initiative aims to collect 67 life-saving units of blood at Chatsworth Centre from 09:00 to 16:00. Another activity is the Sewa International youth outreach program, which invites volunteers to inspire 10th–12th-grade students through career counseling, university application support, motivational talks, as well as medical and optical check-ups. Participants will also sort and pack fresh vegetables for low-income families at Bonela Secondary School in Durban.
To protect the local coastline, the Litterboom Project is conducting beach and marine environment cleanups at Battery Beach. Volunteers can join any 67-minute slot between 07:30 and 10:30 before the Pirate Surf Club. Furthermore, the Woodview Cancer Support Group is organizing a canned food drive to support over 57 cancer patients who require food parcels. The goal is to collect 67 tins in honor of Madiba. Finally, the DSK Group team is running a 'Warmth in Winter' drive, collecting and distributing blankets to families in the informal settlement of Fraser's in Tongaat.
Rassie Erasmus is set to enter history as the most decorated head coach of the Springbok team when his team faces Scotland at Loftus Versfeld stadium. Erasmus took over the management of the team in July 2018, and previously served as the Director of Rugby from 2020 to 2023. He will lead the Boks in their 55th championship match.
During the traditional press conference of the Springbok captains on Friday afternoon, Pieter-Steph du Toit was asked who the greatest of all time is—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Du Toit replied: 'Rassie Erasmus.' This answer, which the French call a bon mot, is a perfectly timed joke. Many South Africans agree with this opinion, given the immense joy Erasmus has brought to his country by organizing two World Cup triumphs in rugby.
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld against Scotland, Erasmus will complete a record 55th Springbok match. Erasmus, who himself played for the Springboks in the late 1990s, reached this total across two periods (2018-2019 and 2024-2026), surpassing the previous record of 54 matches set by coach Jake White (2004-2007), who won the 2007 World Cup.
Furthermore, Erasmus worked as the Director of Rugby during Jacques Nienaber's 39-match tenure, resulting in the Boks reaching a total of 93 matches under his leadership. Erasmus took on the coaching role at the Springboks in 2018 after a difficult period in the team's history, transforming chaos into a subject of envy in world rugby.
At the press conference, alongside du Toit, was assistant coach Mzwandile Stik, who has worked with Erasmus since early 2018. Stik noted: 'Rassie has always been creative, starting from his early days as a Cheetahs coach when he sent messages to players via disco lights on the Free State stadium roof.' He added that Erasmus has always used his intellect while remaining a humble person who respects and empowers those around him.
Du Toit, who was Erasmus's captain in his first match in 2018, emphasized: 'What stands out about Rassie for me is the excitement. From the first day I met him in 2018, and even today, you don't think his enthusiasm for the game can get any bigger, but it just keeps growing.' He concluded: 'You couldn't wish for a better person than him to achieve what he has done with this team. As players and coaches, we are very proud of what he has achieved. He truly cares about the people of South Africa. It is also nice to see his family nearby. Sometimes it is hard being away from children, but I am happy for him, and I hope we can make this day special for him on Saturday.'
