After a less than glamorous campaign so far this year, South Africa have been struggling to find their killer instinct under the scrutiny off the wider world. But, in 1995, the nation faced struggles on and off the pitch that defines their cultural identity to this very day.

After overcoming the French in the semi-final, the Springboks had one more obstacle in their way before reaching World Cup glory: New Zealand.

The All-Blacks, traditionally rugby's heavyweights, featured the likes of Jonah Lomu and captain Sean Fitzpatrick.

Against the political backdrop of Apartheid in South Africa, the home nation would unite and triumph over New Zealand on a scoreline of 15-12. The match would go down as one of the defining chapters of sporting history.

South African rugby captain Francios Pienaar, center, raises the trophy after receiving it from South African President Nelson Mandela. Image Credit: Ross Setford / AP/Press Association Images

An emotionally charged occasion for the players involved and the occasion's poignancy was evident on all of those in the stadium.

At this time, George had been sent to report on the tournament by the Sunday Press and savoured the idea of reporting on the competition.

"What a thrill to be paid to go down and watch rugby" he says in his latest History of the Rugby World Cup podcast.

"The idea was fairly simple, I would go down and write the articles and they would pay me. I just wanted enough to cover my expenses and hopefully turn a small profit.

"But, by the time I had left Dublin and arrived in Johannesberg, the Irish Press Group had gone bust!" he explains.

"I was now in South Africa, with no money to start and had to get by for about five weeks on my own!"

You can listen to more on the Hook's misadventures and the World Cup through his eyes in the podcast below.

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