Rugby World Cup 2023 final: South Africa 'know how to handle the pressure' against New Zealand
- Published
Jake White (right) celebrates with Bryan Habana after guiding South Africa to the World Cup in Paris in 2007
2023 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand v South Africa |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 28 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Former South Africa World Cup winning head coach Jake White says the Springboks "know how to handle the pressure" ahead of Saturday's final with New Zealand.
White guided the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007 in France.
Both holders South Africa and New Zealand are bidding to become the first nation to win the World Cup four times.
"They know how to handle the pressure, but back-to-back brings its own pressure," White said.
Since 2007, either South Africa or New Zealand have lifted the Webb Ellis trophy and White says Saturday's game in Paris brings back "incredible" memories from the last tournament to be held in France when he guided the Boks to their second title.
Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties as the Boks defeated England in the decider at the Stade de France in 2007.
"Sixteen years ago, France, Paris, same stadium, obviously a lot of sentimental thoughts that go through my head, all the emotions I experienced," added White.
"Finals are such great things to watch because you never know what's going to happen, you never know how teams will front up in finals.
"It's a wonderful advert for world rugby that the two teams who have consistently been the best over a long period of time are now playing each other."
'There is so much at stake'
South Africa are the World Cup holders, having beaten England in the final in Yokohama four years ago, and come up against a New Zealand side who swatted Argentina aside with ease in the semi-finals.
After a thrilling win over France in the last eight, Jacques Nienaber's South Africa edged past England in the semi-finals to set up a decider with their southern hemisphere rivals.
The sides have played twice in 2023, with New Zealand running out 35-20 winners in Auckland in July before the Boks hit back at Twickenham in August with a dominant 35-7 win.
If South Africa win it would be another triumph in their storied World Cup history after the country was banned from entering the 1987 and 1991 editions of the tournament due to apartheid, before famously winning on home turf against the All Blacks in 1995 - with Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar in a poignant moment.
Nelson Mandela presented the World Cup trophy to captain Francois Pienaar in 1995 - an poignant moment that highlighted the end of the apartheid era in South Africa
"Our first introduction into World Cup rugby was in 1995 - we ended up playing them and beating them at Ellis Park - we know how important that was for us as a country," added White, who was speaking in Belfast ahead of the Bulls' United Rugby Championship match with Ulster on Sunday.
"It's wonderful, one of those teams is going to win four of the last 10 World Cups which will be an incredible achievement.
"And if you consider South Africa did not play in the first two, that means four out of the last eight if South Africa win it. It would be a 50% record of winning World Cups which would be an incredible stat for any country in any sport.
"It's difficult for anyone to predict. There is so much at stake and both teams have won a game against each other this year, in both cases convincingly.
"I just think it makes for a fantastic advert for rugby and for the World Cup. People often talk about the World Cup as the jewel in the crown, it's the biggest event, the one that everyone plans for for four years to win it. I can't wait to see what an occasion it's going to be.
"Whoever handles the pressure the best and understands what's coming and adapts to that pressure will be the team that wins at the end of the night."