The Springboks will be looking to repeat history tomorrow night when they face the All Blacks in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris.

The Springboks and the All Blacks will face each other in the final of the World Cup for the first time since 1995 when South Africa lifted the Webb Ellis cup with a 15-12 victory at Ellis Park.

While both teams have won the World Cup three times since then, it will be arguably the biggest final in 28-years.

Faf de Klerk - Johan Orton

The Springbok scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, who is back in the starting XV, said the history between the two teams is what will make tomorrow’s final special.

“It means a lot because of the history we have with them, the great match in 1995. Getting to play them in the final again brings back a lot of memories for a lot of people back home.

“A lot of us were a bit too young to watch that game but that’s where the rivalry really started and looking at the players they have in their side, guys that we’ve been looking up to since we were at school, playing their final games now – there’s a lot that’s special about this game.

“To say you dreamed about this is probably wrong because I don’t think you dream that far. If it’s my last game, I want to remember it for putting everything on the line.”

Meanwhile, the Test will also mean an end of an era for Springbok rugby with it being the last time that Jacques Nienaber will coach the team.

Earlier in the year Nienaber indicated that he would be leaving the Springboks regardless whether they win or not.

Nienaber will be heading back to Ireland where he has taken up a coaching position at the Dublin-based franchise, Leinster.

The former Free State and Cheetahs physiotherapist, Nienaber, has held several different positions in the Springbok coaching staff since 2011, but since the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup he served as the head coach.

Jacques Nienaber - Morgan Piek

Nienaber said for him it’s important to enjoy every moment while he still can.

“It’s funny. I went for a run this morning and I was thinking about it. In 2011 when I was in New Zealand with John McFarland and we were very successful. I thought I’d have seven games with the Springboks and it was unbelievable. In 2016 I got another opportunity with the Boks but I’d already signed with Munster so I only had three test matches with the Boks.

“I thought when I left for Munster that’s it, then we came back to 2018. The point is, you don’t know the future.

“That’s how I see it. I’m not emotional. I don’t know if this is my last test match with the Boks or not. You can plan life as much as you want but life has its own ways. Destiny has its own way. I just focus on how you should approach the game, that any day can be your last day with the team. I just enjoy every single minute of it. I stay in the now and enjoy the players.

“As Siya said this will never happen in our lifetime again. Rather than thinking this might be the end or not, just stay in the moment. It’s probably the biggest occasion that we will ever be part and probably the biggest rugby game there has ever been. One and two playing each other in the World Cup final and whoever wins will be the first country to win four World Cups. It’s massive.

“I’ve twice been in positions where I’ve thought this is the end, I’ll never be here again, and look where we are now.”

Saturday night’s massive Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France will kick-off at 21:00.

Meanwhile, on Friday night the Los Pumas of Argentina and England will want to sign off their year with a bang when they face each other in the bronze final in Paris.

Both teams lost in the semi-finals last week, and while there isn’t the same glory as winning the World Cup, a bronze medal will serve as some consolation.

This game in Paris kicks off at 21:00 on Friday night.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport