RWC 2015 Preview Magazine Special Edition | Page 6

Historyand origins

Rugby World Cup: Th
What started as just a game in Engalnd decades ago has grown to
be one of the most popular sports types in the world. Mangaliso
Maduna takes us back to when rugby started and grown rapidly
over the years.

H

istory is often written by
those who dare to procure
the immortal glory of
the champions on the
grandest stage of them all. As past
glory fades, a new era is eventually
born. What was once an English
dream has become a global
phenomenon.
Every four years, 16 teams,
bound by one dream, determined
to make Rugby’s ultimate prize the
pinnacle of their destiny clash with
each other in pursuit of honour,
glory and unmatched patriotism.
Administered by the International
Rugby Board (IRB), the first rugby
World Cup can be traced back
to as early as 1954 when it was
formerly known as the “Rugby
League World Cup” which was

contested by four Test Nations
namely Australia, Great Britain,
France and New Zealand.
They played each other in a
league format. However, the first
ever all-inclusive World Cup was
held in 1987 co-hosted by Australia
and New Zealand.
Being one of the world’s top
three sporting competitions, the
rugby World Cup is one of the most
endorsed sporting events after the
football and cricket World Cup.
With an approximate 4, 2 billion
world television audience, the 2007
World Cup by far remains the most
Pace and agility is what makes this legend.
He will be remembered for scoring one of
the greatest tries everin the first edition of
the RWC in 1987.

They have got their hands on the prestigious Webb Ellis trophy...
The timeline below outlines the teams who have tasted the Rugby World Cup glory
since its inception in 1987.
Australia

Have your say...

The Webb Ellis Trophy stayed
South Eastern parts of the world as
New Zealand’s neighbours Australia won the 1991 Rugby World
Cup edition.

Who will win this year’s
showpiece? Tweet @
jl_masiteng or
@mangaliso using
#RelieveEveryMoment

1991
1987

New Zealand

The All Backs were the first
team to clinch the Webb
Ellis trophy in the inuagural
Rugby World Cup in 1987.
They beat France 26-8 in
the final.

6 RWC 2015 Preview Magazine

1995

South Africa
The Springboks were
crowned Rugby World
Cup champions in
1995 after they were
readmitted to the international game