The Springboks are in with a chance of matching the record of three Rugby World Cup wins, currently held by eternal Bok rivals New Zealand.
But not all South Africans are thrilled at the prospect of the Boks winning another final and matching the All Blacks’ tally, because thousands of rugby fans in the country don’t recognise the Springboks as their team of choice.
They’ve elected to do the unthinkable and support South Africa’s greatest rival instead. As far as the unwritten code for sports fans goes, supporting the All Blacks as a South African is sacrilegious.
But South African All Blacks fans couldn’t care less about this judgement. Their love for New Zealand’s national rugby team runs deep and true, although it is not without complications – it depends how old you are.
The older generations’ support for the All Blacks is rooted in the history of South Africa. It stems from a time when black people who loved the game of rugby refused to cheer for the Springboks because the team was a potent symbol of the apartheid regime.
Post-democracy, there are younger generations who have grown to love the All Blacks. But not for political reasons. They are taken with New Zealand because their playing style is so beautiful that even South Africans find it difficult not to love them.