RWC Rewind USA: Ngwenya Try vs South Africa in 2007

During the final weeks of waiting for Rugby World Cup 2019 to arrive Americas Rugby News will be taking a look back at some moments from past RWCs involving competitors from the Americas. In week three the feature team is the USA.

In day four of the series the feature is the Takudzwa Ngwenya’s unforgettable try against South Africa in 2007. It would be known as Zee Ngwenya leaving Bryan Habana for dead yet it has become more than that. It is now among the most famous of all tries at Rugby World Cups.

The fixture was the final pool match from RWC 2007. The USA were up against eventual champions, South Africa in Montpellier. The tough pool saw the USA begin against England in Lens before facing Tonga in Montpellier; Samoa in St. Etienne; and returning to Montpellier to face the Springboks.

Ngwenya would play well in the prior matches with his try against Samoa catching the Pacific Islanders unprepared. In hindsight the try was a sign of what was to come against South Africa.

The try in question had it all. It began with the Springboks hot on attack and close to scoring a try of their own. Todd Clever would see what was coming an intercept a pass before running twenty meters up field. Three passes then saw the ball finding its way out wide to Ngwenya. The rest, as they say, is history.

About Americas Rugby News

Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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