Over the years, we have seen some of the best runs and set pieces to take place during the Rugby World Cup. And so, with the 2019 Rugby World Cup just around the corner, we believe this would be the perfect time to revisit some of those spectacular moments.

In this blog, we have compiled and listed down six of the greatest moments ever-transpired in the Rugby World Cup history.

1. Nelson Mandela Handing Over The Trophy – Rugby World Cup 1995

During South Africa’s Apartheid period, things were quite out of hand when it came to the different races living in the country, most importantly, the whites and non-whites. So, when Nelson Mandela, the president at the time, handing over the World Cup trophy to a South African team full of whites, it was a sign that the country is no longer what it was a few years ago. It was indeed an iconic moment, not just in Rugby but the world.

2. Japan Out Of Nowhere – Rugby World Cup 2015

Japan has been taking part in the Rugby World Cup since 1987 and has yet to miss a tournament. However, since then, the team has achieved little to no success. In fact, in the 28 years, Japan has secured only a few minor victories to its name. But, during the 2015 Rugby World, Japan made history when it got its most significant win. They shocked the world by defeating South Africa in the final minutes of overtime. To this date, this is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in Rugby history.

3. Australia Annihilates Namibia – Rugby World Cup 2003

With a champion in both 1991 and 1999, there is no doubt that the Wallabies are a worthy contender for any team that goes up against them. However, during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in a game against Namibia, the Australian national rugby team proved to the world that they are one of the strongest teams of the lot. The Wallabies defeated Namibia with a final score of 143-0, a record-breaking score at the time.

4. Last Minute Kicker – Rugby World Cup 2003

During the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Australia and England were playing against each other in the finals. The game was pretty much tied throughout the game, but with just 20 seconds left on the clock, England’s player, Jonny Wilkinson, randomly took a kick with his weaker foot in hopes of it get past the goal post and well, that is precisely what happened. England won that game with one of the best, late-game finishes Rugby fans have ever witnessed.

5. Sipi Tau And Haka Showdown – Rugby World Cup 2011

Everyone, whether they are a fan of Rugby or not, knows about the All Black’s Haka and the Tongan Sipi Tau. They are considered to be two of the most iconic pre-match rituals in any sport. Now imagine, both of these captivating rituals in a single game, in front of each other. How crazy must it look, right? Well, there is no need to imagine as, during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we saw it live, and boy oh boy, was it amazing.

6. Habana Left For Dead – Rugby World Cup 2007

Bryan Habana, the supposed fastest player in Rugby history, was left on the ground by USA’s Takudzwa Ngwenya during the Rugby World Cup 2007 match between the USA and South Africa. Everyone though, Habana would catch up but it seemed he wasn’t as fast as we expected, as Ngwenya rocketed past the player and scored for his team. This moment shocked many, including Habana, himself.

Final Words

That is it for now but be sure to check back later as we are going to be bringing you more compilations like this in the days to come. Until then, check out our other Rugby World Cup post which covers some of the biggest controversies we have seen over the years.

Comment below and let us know what you think of the greatest Rugby World Cup moments