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Os du Randt: Been there done that
The week turns into days and the days into hours; the highly-anticipated World Cup final between England and South Africa is fast approaching us.
It will be the first time that both teams will go head-to-head in a rugby final, but certainly not the first one they have had the privilege of taking part in.
England have been there done that and in 2003 were crowned world champions just like South Africa were in 1995.
As memories come flooding back from those two epic finals and the chilling reminder of the hangover that followed the next day, we find out what would happen if the classes of 2007 were put up against the heroes of yesteryear.
So join us as we take a trip Bok to the future!
It's hard to imagine that a Joel Stransky drop-goal kicked in extra-time in a World Cup final would send 43 million South Africans into a united frenzy.
Twelve years on and the Springboks now have 80 minutes to try and do it again, but does this core of players match the team of 1995?
15: Andre Joubert v Percy Montgomery
The Rolls Royce of full-backs against South Africa's green and gold point-scoring machine.
"Jouba" was always known for his cool, calm and collected play whose presence in the number fifteen jersey - just like his nickname suggests - always ensured a smooth ride for any team he played for.
"Monty" has established himself as South Africa's leading points scorer and has become a reliable goal-kicker for his country. His 93 Test caps earned over the years is a Springbok record and provides priceless experience for the men in green and gold.
Head to head in a final: Both players are rock hard and dependable under the high ball, but on attack and defence, Joubert has the edge on Montgomery. After playing against the All Blacks in the World Cup final with a broken hand, one cannot deny the 1995 full-back's courage either.
But if the game was kept tight and decided on points scored with the boot like most of the World Cup finals have been over the last two decades, then Monty gets the vote.
Winner: Percy Montgomery
14: James Small v JP Pietersen
The barking Bull Terrier against the Labrador puppy.
Small - never short of a word - will always be remembered for the fearless attitude he brought with him to the pitch. As Jonah Lomu found out in the 1995 final, Small was an extremely tough competitor with some explosive in-your-face defence.
Pietersen - more calm in his approach - at times leaves opposition wondering whether to hug him or tackle him. Incredibly strong on his feet and possessing substantial pace, Pietersen's defence is thought to leave much to be desired. However his try-saving (and arguably match-saving) tackle against Fiji has quickly dispelled those doubts.
Head to head in a final: Pietersen is young and still has a lot to learn in his sudden rise in the Springbok set-up. The former and current Natal wings are deadly finishers, but Small may just carry that extra bite needed in a final.
Winner: James Small
13: Japie Mulder v Jaque Fourie
Transvaal bulk against Lions brawn.
Mulder - playing at centre for the Johannesburg-based Golden Lions team (formerly known as Transvaal) at the time of the 1995 final - was as tough as nails in the midfield for South Africa.
Fourie - also playing at centre for the Johannesburg-based Golden Lions team at the time of the 2007 final - is equally at home on attack and defence, but keeps the scoreboard ticking over with a fair few tries scored as well.
Head to head in the final: Both love running the ball to the opposition and have both been used as battering rams more times than less. Incredibly tough call this, but Fourie's ability to mix attack with defence may work in his favour.
Winner: Jaque Fourie
12: Hennie le Roux v Frans Steyn
Wise old head against youthful flair.
Le Roux's reading of the game will go down as one of the country's best and his elusive style was always the creative spark in the Bok backline. With fly-half his preferred position, Le Roux was always keen to run the ball. His slick passing and eye for the gap made him a tricky character to keep under wraps.
Steyn has all the natural qualities of Le Roux, without the experience. What he brings that Le Roux didn't is the element of unpredictability - a spark that could ignite the Bok backs or dig them their graves. Not too shabby in the drop-goal department either.
Head to head in a final: No match really. Le Roux's qualities over the younger Steyn will outmatch, outclass, outwit, outplay, outmaster - ok, you get the point...
Winner: Hennie le Roux
11: Chester Williams v Bryan Habana
Household hero against world superhero .
Williams - who made an impact on the 1995 World Cup by scoring four tries against Samoa - had all the right qualities of a winger, but was never quite up there in the pace department. Is also the only missing player from a photo taken of that drop-goal, with the posts blocking him out!
Habana - who made an immediate impact on the 2007 World Cup by scoring four tries against Samoa - has all the right qualities of a winger and is arguably one of the fastest wingers in the world. Has been all over the newspapers and the World Cup hasn't even finished yet.
Head to head in a final: Just like in the famous 1995 picture, Williams will be completely out of focus against Habana and the only way of getting his hands on the match ball will be stealing it after the game.
Winner: Bryan Habana
10: Joel Stransky v Butch James
South Africa's golden boy against South Africa's naughty boy
Stransky was the conductor on board the Springboks' World Cup journey who never failed to go off the beaten track, and pulled out all the stops from a simple, yet brutally efficient strategy that would end in his country being crowned world champions.
James has the fly-half qualities to match with the world's best, but his inconsistent performances together with injury-forced lay-offs have prevented the Sharks pivot from stamping his authority on the game. But he sure knows how to tackle - whether illegal or not.
Head to head in a final: Stransky proved he has the skills and the big match temperament to win big on the world stage. Although James has the skills, he lacks the big match temperament as proven in two Super rugby finals for the Sharks.
Winner: Joel Stransky
9: Joost van der Westhuizen v Fourie du Preez
Master against the apprentice.
Van der Westhuizen - set to have his name entered into the IRB Hall of Fame - will go down as one of the best in his position of all time. A big, fleet-footed scrum-half of authentic world class. People forget it was his pass that set up Stransky's winning drop-kick.
Du Preez is a highly gifted and dynamic number nine with credible claim to be the world's best on the international scene. Fearless on defence and lethal on attack, with a handy kick to boot.
Head to head: Both players are exceptional readers of the game, acting as generals commanding both backs and forwards. However with Van der Westhuizen holding the record for most number of tries scored in a Bok jersey, as well as being the second highest capped Springbok of all time - the 1995 winner takes the cake. I mean after all - it's Joost!
Winner: Joost van der Westhuizen
8: Mark Andrew v Danie Rossouw
Lock cum number eight against green brick wall.
Andrews was a lock for most of his career, but was drafted in to the number eight position to add extra bulk in the semi-finals and final. Fared commendably under the circumstances.
Rossouw is similar in that he is probably more at home in the second row, but adds considerable go-forward to the Bok loose-trio.
Head to head: What gives Andrews the edge was his all round skills for his size - remarkable in the line-out and possessing a fine pair of hands for a man spending most of his time hitting rucks and mauls.
Winner: Mark Andrews
7: Ruben Kruger v Juan Smith
Powerhouse against workhorse.
Kruger was as tough a customer as they come whose best work was typically done away and out of sight of the flashbulbs - beneath a pile of bodily debris. Still believed to have scored the only (disallowed) try in the 1995 final.
Smith is another special, versatile talent from the prolific South African loose forward factory who is having a phenomenal World Cup at present. Honest and committed in everything he does - Smith puts in 110 per cent into every run or tackle that he makes.
Head to head in a final: Not much separates these two powerful athletes. What probably sets them apart, is Smith's fine positional play and skill. Smith is equally at home running between the centres as he is challenging for the ball at a ruck situation.
Winner: Juan Smith
6: Francois Pienaar v Schalk Burger
Captain incredible against the incredible Schalk.
Pienaar wrote his name in the history books when he led South Africa to World Cup glory in 1995. However the legend status was gained more through his leadership than his own top-flight ability as a flanker. Still, Pienaar was always a steely grafter with fine game-reading skills as well.
Burger has made a name for himself with his total commitment to the game that is at times tiring to watch. He seems to be everywhere in making bone-crunching hits or barnstorming runs. A bloodied Burger emerging from battle is just as common a sight.
Head to head in a final: Besides both being blond, that is the closest Pienaar will get to matching Burger's shaggy 'mop' of hair that never stops long enough to be squeezed out.
Winner: Schalk Burger
5: Hannes Strydom v Victor Matfield
Industrious professional against line-out extraordinaire.
Strydom was better known for his uncompromising approach to the game, especially at ruck time. Best described for his professionalism and hard work more than his runs out wide.
Matfield is a thinking man's lock which is rare and priceless in the modern game. When he puts his mind to it, his contribution in loose play is invaluable. Definitely an athlete when the gap opens up in general play.
Head to head in a final: Matfield is in an entirely different class. The tall timber who rules the planet as a line-out banker and poacher who has opposition hookers waking at night in cold sweats.
Winner: Victor Matfield
4: Kobus Wiese v Bakkies Botha
The out-and-out bruiser against the tryline abuser.
Wiese is your typical lock: A strong scrummager and mauler with an enforcing superiority that never gives an inch.
Botha is an enforcer of the highest calibre and also one that loves a crack at the tryline when sneaking up on the wing in his opponent's 22.
Head to head in a final: Another tight call to make. If put together with Victor Matfield, Botha and his Bulls partner make up the best line-out pair in the world. Unlucky on this occasion Kobus - but you can still be involved by sticking to your new found love of commentating!
Winner: Bakkies Botha
3: Balie Swart v CJ van der Linde
Solid tighthead against injured tighthead.
Swart is famous for his own heroic effort in Springbok rugby after he fronted up to the French in the floods of King's Park, and famously refused to go backwards.
Van der Linde offers a bit more around the park with bullocking runs that can be a major force to be reckoned with. Though after suffering a calf strain in training, one wonders whether the hulking specimen can last the distance.
Head to head in a final: Van der Linde is a renowned scrummager, but not nearly as technically good as South Africa's current World Cup scrum doctor.
Winner: Balie Swart
2: Chris Rossouw v John Smit
Late addition against captain courageous.
Rossouw has a deceptively mobile presence around the park and hardly put a foot or line-out throw wrong after been drafted into the squad for the business end of the tournament after James Dalton was banned for punching.
Smit has silenced his critics with flawless performances in the number two jersey at this World Cup and has shown that he is the glue that holds the side together
Head to head in a final: Smit offers a whole lot more, with his leadership ability heralded by Jake White in recent games, in addition to his telepathic understanding with his jumpers in the line-out.
Winner: John Smit
1: Os du Randt v Os du Randt
Younger Os against older Os.
One of the sensational young icons of the 1995 tournament, Du Randt was a prop powerhouse with astonishing speed out of the blocks over 30 metres.
The 2007 version of Os may not be as mobile as the 1995 version but he more than makes up for it with battle experience and is an inspiration to the young guys in the team.
Head to head in a final: At 35 years of age and in his third World Cup, you would think the pressures of international rugby would have taken it's toll on Os, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Winner: Os 2007
Totals:
1995 Springbok XV: 6
2007 Springbok XV: 9
So there you have it folks, the class of 2007 seem to have more firepower in their tanks to cause an upset over their 1995 heroes.
But if the two teams had to join forces and take on the English in Saturday's World Cup final, it will look a little something like this...
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 James Small, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Hennie le Roux, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Joel Stransky, 9 Joost van der Westhuizen, 8 Mark Andrews, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Balie Swart, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Os du Randt
Replacements: 16 CJ van der Linde, 17 Chris Rossouw, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Ruben Kruger, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Butch James, 22 Andre Joubert
By Dave Morris
