South Africa 'jog the memory' by replicating morning run before historic 1995 World Cup triumph ahead of New Zealand clash
- New Zealand take on South Africa in the first semi-final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on Saturday
- Francois Pienaar captained South Africa to a stunning home World Cup final victory over New Zealand in 1995
- Pienaar received the trophy from president Nelson Mandela in one of the most iconic moments in sporting history
South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup champions led Springbok fans on a two-mile jog around the streets of London ahead of Saturday's semi-final, hoping to replicate their success of 20 years ago.
Captain in 1995 Francois Pienaar and his team-mates famously ran in Sandton ahead of their final with New Zealand, taking to the streets in London to recreate that moment that proceeded the iconic victory.
South Africa, who also lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 2007, take on New Zealand at Twickenham hoping to face Argentina or Australia in the final.
Members of the triumphant 1995 South Africa team sing their national anthem in front of a Nelson Mandela statue in central London
South African President Nelson Mandela (left) congratulates Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar after the historic 1995 World Cup triumph
South African fans were invited to join the 1995 World Cup winners on a two mile jog in London to replicate their run of 20 years ago
Pienaar, who captained South Africa to the stunning victory in 1995, leads Springbok fans through the streets of London On Saturday
'On the morning of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, they famously ran in Sandton. Twenty years later, the world champion Springboks are running again ... through the streets of London,' said a tweeted statement from South African Rugby.
'All are welcome to join the 1995 Springboks squad and jog for two miles from Trafalgar Square and back. Meet outside the National Gallery at 07h30 on Saturday 24 October, 2015.'
The Springboks achieved their stunning home World Cup success by topping Pool A with victories over Australia, Romania and Canada.
Pienaar's side then thrashed Samoa 42-14 in the quarter-finals and secured a place in the final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg by narrowly surpassing France 19-15.
The 1995 World Cup was the first major sporting event held in South Africa following the end of the apartheid.
In an emotionally charged final, South Africa upset the odds against Jonah Lomu's All Blacks. The match was level at 12-12, without any tries, after 80 minutes and required extra-time to source a winner.
Pienaar takes time out before the two mile jog with Springbok fans to sign the t-shirt of one lucky South African fan
Pienaar lifts the Webbs Ellis trophy aloft in 1995, as South Africa Rugby tweeted (right) to advertise their 'jog for memory' event in London
Joel Stransky hits the decisive drop-kick in extra-time to secure a historic World Cup triumph for South Africa in the 1995 final
Ecstatic South Africa fans went to great measures to meet their heroes during the 'jog the memory' event in London on Saturday morning
John Smit (left) takes a picture of former team-mate Pienaar during the 'jog the memory' run ahead of South Africa's semi-final on Saturday
Fans flocked to central London to see members of the 1995 World Cup winning squad lead a two mile jog around the streets of the capital
Up stepped Joel Stransky, who fired in the decisive drop goal to spark wild celebrations.
Pienaar was then handed the trophy by Nelson Mandela, less than a year after he had been elected the country's first black president in one of the most iconic sporting moments in history.
'It was incredibly tense and emotional - some of the guys were physically ill,' Pienaar told the BBC.
'I've said it many times that no Hollywood scriptwriter could have written a better script.
It was just unbelievable on the streets of South Africa. For the first time all the people had come together and all races and religions were hugging each other. It was just wonderful.'
The current Springbok side will hope to replicate such success against the All Blacks at Twickenham but opened their 2015 campaign with an enthralling 32-34 defeat by Japan.
Since, Heyneke Meyer's side have grown into the tournament. They swatted aside Samoa 46-6, defeated Scotland 34-16, and humiliated the USA 64-0.
Into the quarter-finals and South Africa edged Wakes 23-19 to set up this historic reunion with the All Blacks on Saturday.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team pose on the 20th anniversary of their triumph in June. Front row (from left to right): Chester Williams, Balie Swart, Joost van der Westhuizen, Francois Pienaar (captain), Morne du Plessis (manager), Christiaan Scholtz, Gysie Pienaar (assistant coach), Hennie le Roux, Pieter Hendriks. Middle row: Garry Pagel, Rudolf Straeuli, Mark Andrews, Kobus Wiese, Krynauw Otto, Hannes Strydom, Robbie Brink, Adriaan Richter. Back row: Naka Drotské, Marius Hurter, Japie Mulder, Gavin Johnson, Brendan Venter, Chris Rossouw
South Africa Rugby tweeted this picture: 'The Springbok team to face New Zealand at Twickenham in the #RWC2015 semi-final'. Front row: (from left to right) Ricardo Loubscher, Bryan Habana, Johann van Graan, Fourie du Preez (captain), Heyneke Meyer (manager), Schalk Burger, Ian Schwartz, Victor Matfield, John Mcfarland. Middle row: Pat Lambie, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Frans Malherbe, Willem Alberts, Damian De Allende, Handre Pollard, Tendai Mtawarira, Willie le Roux, Trevor Nyakane. Back row: JP Pietersen, Francois Louw , Duane Vermeulen, Lood De Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Ruan Pienaar, Adriaan Strauss.
Pienaar cracks a smile as he joins South Africa fans jogging through London, 20 years after he lead the Springboks to World Cup glory
Central London was awash with the colours of South Africa on Saturday morning with a 'jog the memory' event held for fans
Members of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winning South Africa team join captain Pienaar (centre) signing their national anthem
Retired Springboks Japie Mulder (left) and Chris Rossouw (right) pose for a photo with a fan on a run through the capital on Saturday
The Springboks managed to prevail past favourites New Zealand to secure a historic home World Cup triumph back in 1995
A South Africa fan poses with a Springbok flag outside the Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of their clash with New Zealand
South Africa fans join the 1995 side in running through the streets of London, past landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament
Here's the scene in the South Africa dressing room after they landed a stunning home World Cup final victory back in 1995
Jubilant South Africa fans gathered in central London to see the victorious 1995 Rugby World Cup winning side at 'jog the memory'
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