South Africa at the Rugby World Cup
have played at 7 of the 9 Rugby World Cup tournaments, having been unable to compete in the first two tournaments due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era. Following the end of apartheid, they hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and won the tournament, they were champions again at the 2007 tournament in France. The Springboks then made history when they beat England in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan despite losing a pool stage match. The win was achieved under the leadership of captain Siya Kolisi and the coaching of Rassie Erasmus, whose game plan ultimately outsmarted the tactics of England coach Eddie Jones. This win, like the Springboks win in 1995, brought hope and unity to their nation and was an important victory for all of South Africa.
The Springboks are tied with the New Zealand All Blacks for tournament wins at the Rugby World Cup - both teams having won 3 times - although they have participated in less tournaments. In addition to this, they are the only rugby team to have won every World Cup final they have played in.By position
By matches
1995
;Pool A
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;Quarter-final
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;Semi-final
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;Final
----1999
;Pool A
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;Quarter-final
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;Semi-final
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;Third place play-off
----2003
;Pool C
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;Quarter-final
----2007
;Pool A
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;Quarter-final
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;Semi-final
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;Final
----2011
;Pool D
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;Quarter-Final
----2015
;Pool B
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;Quarter-final
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;Semi-final
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;Bronze final2019
;Pool B
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;Quarter-final
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;Semi final
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;Final
----Overall record against all nations in the World Cup:
| Country | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | For | Against | +/- | Winning percent |
| 5 | 2 | - | 3 | 77 | 102 | -25 | 40 |
| 5 | 5 | - | - | 220 | 42 | +178 | 100 |
| 5 | 4 | - | 1 | 133 | 64 | +69 | 80 |
| 3 | 1 | - | 2 | 57 | 56 | +1 | 33.33 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 144 | 3 | +141 | 100 |
| 3 | 3 | - | - | 59 | 51 | +8 | 100 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 61 | 26 | +35 | 100 |
| 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 50 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 86 | 7 | +79 | 100 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 80 | 45 | +35 | 100 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 111 | 9 | +102 | 100 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 128 | 15 | +113 | 100 |
| 2 | 2 | - | - | 86 | 23 | +63 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 21 | 8 | +13 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 49 | 3 | +46 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 19 | 15 | +4 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 47 | 3 | +44 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 46 | 19 | +27 | 100 |
| 1 | 1 | - | - | 30 | 25 | +5 | 100 |
| Total | 43 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 1512 | 553 | +959 | 83.72 |
