KEO UNCUT | Stransky’s magical three pointer in rugby folklore

Archie Henderson is my first sports editor. He is a mentor, a friend and one heck of a storyteller.

He is also straight to the point. When Invictus was released, celebrating the Springboks 1995 World Cup title win, I asked him what he thought of the movie. He didn’t blink in responding: “Nothing, I preferred the real thing.”

The hero of that 15-12 World Cup final win was Joel Stransky, who kicked the defining drop goal in extra time.

I’ve watched that drop goal on replay so many times, but it never compares to having been in the press box on that day and watching it all unfold live.

Stransky was inducted into the World Rugby’s Hall of Fame in Cape Town earlier this week. So too was All Blacks No 8 Zinzan Brooke. Both are iconic names in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and the only surprise is that it has taken so long for the duo to be formally acknowledged.

Stransky, in particular, engraved his name in rugby folklore with the magical three pointer. South Africans are eternally grateful for that moment.

Who knows how rugby’s Rainbow Nation story would have unfolded had Stransky missed with his drop goal and New Zealander Andrew Mehrtens succeeded with his three attempts.

Stransky’s drop goal did go over and this was the week when the YouTube views of that moment multiplied. It never gets old watching that ball sail over.

Louw’s playing days are also documented on YouTube, and there are plenty of mesmerizing moments from No 8 Brooke, playing for Auckland, the Blues and the All Blacks

Stransky’s contribution to the Springboks and South African rugby extends beyond his podium moment. He started the 1995 World Cup with a complete performance against the defending champions Australia at Newlands.

The Boks won 27-18 and Stransky kicked a conversion, four penalties, a drop goal and scored a try for 22 points.

Australia would again be dismantled by Stransky a year later in Bloemfontein when he scored all 25 points in the Boks’ win.

Australia was integral to Stransky’s Test career; he made his Springboks debut in Australia and scored his first international points against the Wallabies.

Stransky’s Test career would be limited to 22 matches, in which he scored 240 points. Those points came from six tries, 30 conversions, three drop goals and 47 penalty goals.