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Cape Town - Since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy the Springboks have experienced unparalleled success on the rugby field and Vodacom is proud to say we were there from the start.
WIN: Tickets to watch the Springboks!
Flashback to June 24, 1995 to scenes of celebrations where the Rainbow Nation united thanks to the Springboks’ heroics in the final of the IRB Rugby World Cup against the mighty All Blacks.
Only a year before Vodacom were founded to become an intrinsic part of not only the South African cellular network landscape but also the Official Telecoms Partner to the Springboks.
It was a time when a fortunate few brandished brick-sized cell phones, while "Yebo, Gogo" became the catch phrase of the day thanks to the clever Vodacom ads.
In 1995 South Africa was still coming to grips with democracy and what it meant, while the country was gearing up for its biggest test on the sporting scene, the hosting of the third IRB Rugby World Cup tournament.
While the country was still dealing with a divided nation, the Springbok rugby team were on a mission to win the hearts and minds of a fractured nation. It was the year the South African rugby team became amaBokoboko and when the country’s true potential was harnessed through sport.
Vodacom are proud to say that we were there when the Springboks emerged from the doldrums to inspire a nation and we continue to celebrate their successes with Springbok Fans.
Vodacom’s Nosimilo Mabuza, Brand Manager- Sponsorship and Regional Marketing, said: "South Africa's journey in sport over the last 20 years has been nothing short of miraculous which is personified by the Springboks' heroics during the 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup.
"Vodacom can with pride say that we were there with all South Africans to experience the highs and lows of being a fan.
"These endearing rugby moments are a stark reminder of what we are capable of as a nation."
Only three years since the return from international isolation, the Springboks were ranked ninth in the world and had a mountain to climb in their very first IRB Rugby World Cup tournament.
And while the odds were firmly stacked against them the side had a trump card in former president Nelson Mandela.
The Springboks cleared their first and toughest hurdle of the pool stages beating defending champions Australia 27-18 at Ellis Park before they beat Romania and Canada to advance to the quarterfinal.
The victory over Western Samoa ensured a date with France at a soaking Kings Park Stadium in Durban where they managed a 19-15 victory for a final berth against pre-tournament favourites New Zealand.
Before the kickoff Mandela inspired the team when he addressed the team in the change room wearing the Springbok jersey.
The vibe at Ellis Park and around the country was electric and in another enduring moment on the day the Boeing 747 with “Good Luck Bokke” written on the bottom swooped over the stadium before the kick-off.
The brutal battle played out to a 9-9 in regulation time before both teams score penalty goals in the first half of extra-time. The nation was brought to its feet when flyhalf Joel Stransky broke the deadlock when he slotted his famous drop goal eight minutes before the end of extra-time.
The Springboks held on to the slender lead to achieve what many believed impossible prior to the tournament by claiming a 15-12 victory over the mighty All Blacks.
The pièce de résistance of the day saw Madiba stride onto the field wearing the Springbok jersey with skipper Francois Pienaar’s number on the back where he presented the Webb Ellis trophy to the captain.
Mandela’s gesture of wearing the Springbok jersey drew a collective chant of “Nelson, Nelson, Nelson” from the largely white crowd and embodied what is referred to as Madiba Magic.
These scenes ushered in a new era for the Springboks which also represented the start of many more great rugby memories in the years to follow in which Vodacom continues to empower Springbok Fans.
WIN: Tickets to watch the Springboks!
Flashback to June 24, 1995 to scenes of celebrations where the Rainbow Nation united thanks to the Springboks’ heroics in the final of the IRB Rugby World Cup against the mighty All Blacks.
Only a year before Vodacom were founded to become an intrinsic part of not only the South African cellular network landscape but also the Official Telecoms Partner to the Springboks.
It was a time when a fortunate few brandished brick-sized cell phones, while "Yebo, Gogo" became the catch phrase of the day thanks to the clever Vodacom ads.
In 1995 South Africa was still coming to grips with democracy and what it meant, while the country was gearing up for its biggest test on the sporting scene, the hosting of the third IRB Rugby World Cup tournament.
While the country was still dealing with a divided nation, the Springbok rugby team were on a mission to win the hearts and minds of a fractured nation. It was the year the South African rugby team became amaBokoboko and when the country’s true potential was harnessed through sport.
Vodacom are proud to say that we were there when the Springboks emerged from the doldrums to inspire a nation and we continue to celebrate their successes with Springbok Fans.
Vodacom’s Nosimilo Mabuza, Brand Manager- Sponsorship and Regional Marketing, said: "South Africa's journey in sport over the last 20 years has been nothing short of miraculous which is personified by the Springboks' heroics during the 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup.
"Vodacom can with pride say that we were there with all South Africans to experience the highs and lows of being a fan.
"These endearing rugby moments are a stark reminder of what we are capable of as a nation."
Only three years since the return from international isolation, the Springboks were ranked ninth in the world and had a mountain to climb in their very first IRB Rugby World Cup tournament.
And while the odds were firmly stacked against them the side had a trump card in former president Nelson Mandela.
The Springboks cleared their first and toughest hurdle of the pool stages beating defending champions Australia 27-18 at Ellis Park before they beat Romania and Canada to advance to the quarterfinal.
The victory over Western Samoa ensured a date with France at a soaking Kings Park Stadium in Durban where they managed a 19-15 victory for a final berth against pre-tournament favourites New Zealand.
Before the kickoff Mandela inspired the team when he addressed the team in the change room wearing the Springbok jersey.
The vibe at Ellis Park and around the country was electric and in another enduring moment on the day the Boeing 747 with “Good Luck Bokke” written on the bottom swooped over the stadium before the kick-off.
The brutal battle played out to a 9-9 in regulation time before both teams score penalty goals in the first half of extra-time. The nation was brought to its feet when flyhalf Joel Stransky broke the deadlock when he slotted his famous drop goal eight minutes before the end of extra-time.
The Springboks held on to the slender lead to achieve what many believed impossible prior to the tournament by claiming a 15-12 victory over the mighty All Blacks.
The pièce de résistance of the day saw Madiba stride onto the field wearing the Springbok jersey with skipper Francois Pienaar’s number on the back where he presented the Webb Ellis trophy to the captain.
Mandela’s gesture of wearing the Springbok jersey drew a collective chant of “Nelson, Nelson, Nelson” from the largely white crowd and embodied what is referred to as Madiba Magic.
These scenes ushered in a new era for the Springboks which also represented the start of many more great rugby memories in the years to follow in which Vodacom continues to empower Springbok Fans.
