RUGBY WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT 1995 2

South Africa, Newlands · 1995-05-25

Official

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front

Cachet: The cachet shows a stylised illustration of a Springbok rugby player in full stride, cradling the ball against a bold blue background, rendered in green, gold and red with a striped shadow effect trailing behind him. Beside him a faded sepia toned Victorian era engraving shows an old fashioned rugby scrum, players in long trousers and boots piled together on a period pitch. Pairing a modern flat design player with a 19th century engraving links the tournament to the deep history of the game itself, and the box at the bottom confirms this as an official commemorative cover.

Info card

RUGBY WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT 1995 The Rugby World Cup Tournament 1995 is without doubt the most important sports event ever to be hosted in South Africa. Since its inception in 1987, the Rugby World Cup has had a significant influence on the nature of Rugby Union. This prestigious event pits the best of the world's Rugby Union countries against each other every four years, and allows fledgling rugby countries to broaden their player base. In his message of goodwill to the second World Rugby Cup Tournament in 1991 — from which South Africa was barred because of its apartheid policy — the legendary Dr Danie Craven, then president of the SA Rugby Board, voiced his heart's desire: "We'll be there soon!" The momentous turn of events in South Africa in 1994, with the first democratically elected government coming into power, facilitated the realisation of those prophetic words. Between 25 May and 24 June 1995, South Africa will host the third Rugby World Cup tournament, and for the first time, the renowned Springboks will show their mettle in the world's greatest ever rugby challenge. Besides winning the coveted William Webb Ellis Trophy, the victorious country also earns the honour of competing as World Champions for the next four years. In 1987, New Zealand became the first World Champions after defeating France in the final and in 1991, Australia won the title after beating England. The qualifying countries for the 1995 World Cup are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga, Wales and Western Samoa. For nine of the competing nations, qualification was automatic on the strength of their performances in the 1991 World Cup. These are Australia (title holders), England (runners up), New Zealand (third place), Scotland (fourth place), and beaten quarter finalists France, Ireland, Canada and Western Samoa. South Africa qualifies as host nation. The remaining seven qualifiers have come through an arduous play-off programme which started in May 1993, involving 37 countries from five continents. During the 1995 World Cup tournament, a total of 32 matches will be played at nine rugby stadiums in South Africa. On 25 May 1995, the opening ceremony and opening match — between the 1991 World Champion, Australia, and the host union, South Africa — will take place in Cape Town at Newlands, the oldest rugby test ground in South Africa. There are 24 pool matches scheduled, four quarter finals, two semifinals, the play-off for third place, and the final, to be played at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on 24 June 1995. WÊRELDBEKER-RUGBYTOERNOOI 1995 Die 1995 Wêreldbeker-rugbytoernooi is ongetwyfeld die belangrikste sportgebeurtenis wat nog in Suid-Afrika plaasgevind het. Sedert sy ontstaan in 1987 het die Wêreldbeker-rugbytoernooi 'n beduidende invloed op amateurrugby uitgeoefen. Dié toonaangewende kompetisie bring die wêreld se top rugbylande elke jaar teen mekaar in die veld terwyl dit ook aan jong rugbylande die geleentheid bied om hulle spelersbasis uit te brei. In sy groeteboodskap aan die tweede Wêreldbeker-rugbytoernooi in 1991 — waaraan Suid-Afrika 'n beduidende kompetisie toegelaat was om deel te neem nie — het die legendariese dr. Danie Craven, destydse president van die SA Rugbyraad, sy hartsbegeerte so verwoord: "We'll be there soon!" Die betekenisvolle omwenteling in Suid-Afrika toe die eerste demokraties verkose regering in 1994 aan bewind gekom het, het die verwesenliking van dié profetiese woorde moontlik gemaak. Van 25 Mei tot 24 Junie 1995 is Suid-Afrika die gasheer vir die derde Wêreldbekertoernooi en sal die beroemde Springbokke vir die eerste keer hul staal toon in die wêreld se grootste rugbystryd nog. Naas die gesogte William Webb Ellis Trofee, verwerf die wenspan ook die eer om vir die volgende vier jaar as die wêreldkampioene uit te draf. Nieu-Seeland het in 1987 die eerste wêreldkampioen geword toe hulle Frankryk in die eindstryd verslaan het en in 1991 het Australië die titel verwerf deur oor Engeland te seëvier. Die lande wat vir die 1995 Wêreldbekertoernooi gekwalifiseer het, is: Argentinië, Australië, Engeland, Frankryk, Ierland, Italië, Ivoorkus, Japan, Nieu-Seeland, Romenië, Skotland, Suid-Afrika, Tonga, Wallis en Wes-Samoa. Nege van die lande het outomaties gekwalifiseer op grond van hulle prestasies in die 1991 Wêreldbekertoernooi. Hulle is Australië (titelhouer), Engeland (naaswenner), Nieu-Seeland (derde), Skotland (vierde) en die oorwonne kwartaeindspanne Frankryk, Ierland, Kanada en Wes-Samoa. Synde die gasheerland, kwalifiseer Suid-Afrika ook. Die ander sewe lande het gekwalifiseer op 'n strawwe uitspeelprogram wat in Mei 1993 afgeskop het en waaraan 37 lande uit vyf vastelande deelgeneem het. Tydens die 1995 Wêreldbekertoernooi sal 32 wedstryde op nege rugbystadions in Suid-Afrika gespeel word. Die openingsplegtigheid en die eerste wedstryd — dié tussen die 1991-kampioen, Australië, en die gasheerland, Suid-Afrika — vind op 25 Mei 1995 op die oudste rugbytoetsveld, Newlands in Kaapstad, plaas. Die toernooi bestaan uit 24 groepwedstryde, vier kwarteindwedstryde, twee halfeindwedstryde, die uitspeelwedstryd om die derde plek en die eindstryd wat op 24 Junie 1995 op Ellispark gespeel word.

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 25 May 1995 at Newlands, SAPO reference PT 6.14a. It marks the opening match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, held at Newlands in Cape Town, the oldest rugby test ground in South Africa. It was South Africa's first appearance at the tournament, having been barred from the two previous World Cups under apartheid. Fittingly, the country's return to the international stage came just a year after its first democratic elections in 1994.

Theme: Sport

Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.

Addressed: No

Signed: No

SAPO serial number: 6.14a

Estimated value: ~US$0.1

This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.