1963: Bok Power
Held in South Africa for the first time, the World Cup would again be possessed by the host nation. Coming off a clean of the British Lions a year before, the Springboks were of course strongest on the rock hard South African turf. As always they were tremendous in the centers, with the incredible John Gainsford defending hard and feeding the likes of Jannie Engelbrecht out wide and supporting Keith Oxlee at outside half. The forwards just as strong, if young. Frik Du Preez was just coming into his own, while young Mof Myburgh was an imposing prop.
Co-favorites for the cup, New Zealand’s soon-to-be unbeatable unit was just beginning to gel. Led by Pinetree Meads, Bob Clarke at fullback and captain Wilson Whineray up front, they were an experienced unit.
If you were taking a poll on the most thrilling unit, most would have voted for France. Andre and Guy Boniface in the centers were a talented pair, and when not scoring tries themselves, they fed two of the most prolific try-scorers in the game — Pipiou Dupuy and Eliacin Darrouy. At flank, Michele Crauste was also experienced and tireless. Finally there was Australia. Struggling to move up from third place among the Southern Hemisphere teams, the Wallabies strutted onto the veldt with as good a halfback combination as any had ever seen in Ken Catchpole and Phil Hawthorne.
As it was, the competition all around was fierce. This marked the first time that a team that didn’t finish first in its pool reached the semifinals (Scotland), and the first and only time Canada and the USA would meet (Canada winning 14-5). France, playing in the most evenly-matched pool, still scored a record number of tries (17), while Scottish fullback Ken Scotland (no, really) slotted seven penalties and three conversions against Fiji.
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool C
New Zealand Wales South Africa France
Australia Ireland England Scotland
Tonga Canada W. Samoa Fiji
Italy USA Japan Argentina
Quarterfinals
New Zealand v. England
Wales v. Scotland
South Africa v. Australia
France v. Ireland
The quarters were highlighted by what was almost a huge Wallaby upset of the vaunted Springboks. Down 12-6 Aussie flyhalf Phil Hawthorne rained a record three drop goals in the space of 20 minutes. The ‘Boks turned to their forward power to subdue the visitors, and it was a 15-meter rolling maul that saw Myburgh dive over in the second half. Keith Oxlee’s kick was good, and South Africa led 17-15. With little time left, Catchpole quick-tapped a penalty 15 meters inside his own half. The Springboks were caught a little unawares, and Catchpole made thirty meters before being forced into touch. The whistle was blown dead on 40 minutes, and the Springboks were in.
The magnificent French backline came into the limelight, also. The Boniface brothers continued to find space for wingers Darrouy and Dupuy, and with good ball they were virtually unstoppable. At flanker again was Michele Crauste, often the beneficiary of the backs’ great running (like Josh Kronfeld in 1995), he had scored three tries in pool play. Ireland had a try-scoring winger of their own in Aslan Duggan, but the French had too many weapons. Darrouy scored twice, and the Boniface brothers each touched down as the French racked six tries in a 28-9 win.
And then a true upset. Wales was between golden eras, having lost Cliff Morgan and not to see Barry John for a few years yet, the team was at a slight ebb and ripe for an upset loss. They had survived Ireland in pool play on a late try by winger Dewi Bebb
Semifinals
New Zealand 12
France 10
Scotland 6
South Africa 28
The All Blacks were not to be denied despite huge French speed outside. New Zealand kept the ball in tight when they could and settled for four Bob Clarke penalty goals. Guy Boniface scored a converted try late in the first half, and Darrouy contributed his record sixth early in the second half, but it was for naught.
The Scottish fairy tale ended abruptly as the Springboks rained pressure from the outset. Gainsford scored three tries, a record for a semi final.
Final: South Africa 16
New Zealand 9
Playoff: Scotland 9
France 9
Three tries from France and a try, a penalty goal, and a drop from Scotland left the 3rd/4th match all square after 80 minutes. Officials had made no plans for such a possibility, and the game ended thus. Judging by the smiles and hand-shaking all around, no one seemed to mind much.
They minded at the final. In an incredibly physical matchup in which Meads was almost sent off and probably should have been, Oxlee dropped a goal and Engelbrecht scored a converted try for an 8-0 halftime lead. The Springboks added another try, and it was only then that the All Blacks threw off the Springbok yoke. Too late, though, and the All Blacks had lost their third final out of four.
1963 Champions: South Africa