The 1995 World Cup final produced one of sport's iconic moments, as South African President Nelson Mandela, sporting a Springbok jersey, handed the cup to winning captain Francois Pienaar.

For everyone - bar four million New Zealanders, of course - the Ellis Park final produced the best of all fairytale finishes as post-apartheid South Africa were welcomed back into the rugby fold.

The Springboks' 15-12 victory, courtesy of a Joel Stransky drop-goal in extra time, united 'the rainbow nation' behind a game previously seen as divisive and the white man's preserve. Winger Chester Williams' inclusion in the team, by right rather than by political correctness, underlined that times were beginning to change.

The key to victory lay in the home side's success in shackling All Black superstar Jonah Lomu, whose four tries against England in the semi-finals, including the unforgettable one during which he walked right over Mike Catt, had sent shock waves through the sport.

The 6ft 5ins, 18st 13lb winger, however, was hauled down by a posse of South Africans whenever he got his hands on the ball in the Ellis Park final.

For one New Zealander in particular, though, the defeat left a sour taste in the mouth.

A large number of All Blacks fell ill in the run-up to the final and team coach Laurie Mains remains convinced that his team were the victims not of accidental food poisoning but a conspiracy to wreck the tournament favourites' chances.

No team has so dominated a World Cup before or since only to lose the final. New Zealand boasted the top two try-scorers of the tournament in Lomu and Marc Ellis, both with seven. A second-string All Black line-up had also beaten Japan by a record 145-17 in the pool stages.