South Africa defeated New Zealand 15–12 in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. The match was decided after extra time at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 24 June 1995.
The final was a tense, low-scoring contest in which neither team scored a try. New Zealand’s points came from Andrew Mehrtens, who kicked three penalties and a drop goal. South Africa’s Joel Stransky scored three penalties and two drop goals, including the decisive drop goal in extra time.
The score was tied 9–9 at the end of normal time, making this the first Rugby World Cup final to require extra time. Mehrtens then put New Zealand ahead 12–9, but Stransky levelled the match before kicking the winning drop goal from about 30 metres.
The result gave South Africa its first World Cup title in its first final. It also became one of rugby’s most famous sporting moments because President Nelson Mandela presented the Webb Ellis Cup to captain François Pienaar while wearing a Springbok shirt. The final is sometimes remembered mainly for its symbolism, but the 15–12 score reflects a highly tactical kicking duel.