For 23 years the whole country had suffered defeat and disappointment...

...now it was time to get hold of **that cup**.

For six weeks, one team after another was humbled: the prime beef from the pampas...

...the mighty Springboks...

...the unpredictable French.

Handbags clashed...

...and claret flowed.

At last the scene was set for a tense final match...

...the closing minutes were so exciting that some of the crowd just couldn't watch...

...but when the final whistle blew, the crowd went wild...

...while the runners-up dealt as best they could with their shattering disappointment.

Interviewed after the match the captain described it as "a game of two halves."

He added: "If we hadn't come through in those last few minutes, the media would have literally crucified us."

And after that win, it will certainly be a while before he hangs up his boots.

The victorious team toured the country as national heroes...

...and for the next four years at least, the cup is safely in the trophy cabinet.