South Africa and the Rugby World Cup Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The inaugural Rugby Union World Cup was held in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. In which year did South Africa first enter the competition?

Answer: 1995

When the tournament was started in 1987 South Africa was under international boycott because of the apartheid system in operation in the country. With the dismantling of the apartheid system, South Africa was readmitted to international Rugby in 1992. They then took part in the next competition, in 1995, which was actually held in South Africa

2. In which year did South Africa first win the Rugby World Cup?

Answer: 1995

They beat New Zealand 15-12 in a pulsating game in Johannesburg. It was the first year South Africa had been allowed to take part and the victory was seen as helping to bring unity to the newly democratic nation.

3. What is the title of the official theme song for the Rugby Union World Cup?

Answer: World in Union

The words are by the British lyricist Charlie Skarbek and were originally written for the 1991 competition. The words try to capture the spirit of international friendship that the competition is all about.

4. What was the final score in the 2019 final?

Answer: South Africa 32: England 12

South Africa scored 2 converted tries (2 x 7 = 14) plus six penalties (6 x 3= 18) for a total of 32. England scored 4 penalties (4 x 3 = 12) and no tries for a total of 12.

5. Which country was the first to win three Rugby Union World Cup tournaments?

Answer: New Zealand

New Zealand won the inaugural tournament in 1987 and then after a long gap won again in 2011 and 2015. South Africa was the next nation to win three.

6. South Africa's 2019 World Cup triumph was their third. In total how many tries did South Africa score in their three Finals?

Answer: 2

Both tries were scored in the 2019 final. In 1995, against New Zealand, at full time there were no tries scored by either side. Each team had scored 2 penalties and a drop goal. In extra time each side again scored a penalty. Then, with 7 minutes to go Joel Stransky scored a drop goal for South Africa to win the match.

In 2007, against England, there were again no tries scored by either side. This time there were only penalties. The result was 15-6 to South Africa. In 2019 winger Makazole Mpimpi became the first South African to ever score a try in a Rugby World Cup final. Winger Cheslin Kolbe then scored a second try and England were defeated 32-12

7. South Africa won their third Rugby Union World Cup tournament in 2019. By coincidence, how many years apart were each of these victories?

Answer: 12 years

The answer must always be a multiple of 4 since the competition is played every 4 years. South Africa were winners in 1995, 2007 and then 2019, so they won it every 12 years.

8. South Africa's 2019 triumph was their third -- how many South African rugby players had won two Rugby World Cup winner's medals?

Answer: 2

South Africa had won their third title in 2019 -- each win was 12 years apart. Therefore, to win two medals the player would need to have been playing top flight rugby for more than twelve years and would also need to first reach the highest level when very young. This has only happened to Os du Randt (1995 and 2007) and Frans Steyn (2007 and 2019).

9. There are two important international competitions that affect Rugby playing nations in the Southern Hemisphere. These are the Rugby Championship played each year since 1996 (when it was called the Trinations) and the World Cup played every four years SINCE 1987. Which nation was the first to win both competitions in the same year?

Answer: South Africa

Although the TriNations started in 1996, the first year which also had a World Cup was 1999. The results since 1999 are as follows:
Year TriNations/Rugby Champ. World Cup
1999 New Zealand Australia
2003 New Zealand England
2007 New Zealand South Africa
2011 Australia New Zealand
2015 Australia New Zealand
2019 South Africa South Africa
In 2019, South Africa became the first to win both competitions in the same year.

10. What is the correct name for the trophy awarded to the winners of the Rugby Union World Cup?

Answer: Webb Ellis Cup

It is named after William Webb Ellis, who is credited with inventing rugby football while a pupil at Rugby School in England. The cup is made of gilded silver. Engraved on the face of the trophy are each year's winners and the words 'International Rugby Football Board' and below that 'The Webb Ellis Cup'.

The Paul Barri�re Trophy is very similar to the Webb Elllis Cup in appearance but is awarded to the World Champion in Rugby League.

Source: Author Ayerst

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor 1nn1 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Find out some interesting facts about the Rugby World Cup and South Africa's participation in it.

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