Rugby fever strikes!

August 19, 2011. Rugby fever has truly arrived in South Africa ahead of the biggest rugby event ever . . . the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Here are a few stats and figures from the history of the tournament. But first, we asked a few Ridge people and sports editors, who their 5 favourite rugby players of all time are. Why not add your list? Comment below or post on our facebook page.

In the picture: Ridge magazine staff members Tracy Linden and Robyn Hulley get in the mood with Bok Friday.

Top 5 rugby players

Murray Staats, Daily News sports:

Rob Louw, Serge Blanco, Zinzan Brooke, John Eales, Philipe Sella

Simon Osler, Sunday Tribune sports

Willie-John McBride, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Eales, Hugo Porta, Hempies du Toit

David Wightman: former sports journalist and current editor of Business in Durban magazine.

• Frik du Preez, rampaging flanker, but that’s going back a bit.
• Cliff Morgan, a Welsh wizard
• David Campese, breathtaking at his best
• John Eales
• The Beast, who brings a smile to my face every time he touches the ball.

Tim Lombard, Famous Publishing MD

Zinzan Brooke, Danie Gerber, Thierry Lacroix, Joost van der Westhuizen, Gary Teichman

Sihle Mthembu, journalist

Joe Rococoko, Francois Steyn, Martin Corry, Victor Matfield, JP Pietersen

Garth Johnstone, Ridge Editor

Os du Randt, David Campese, Johnny Wilkinson, John Eales, Michael Jones

Mike Greenaway, Mercury rugby writer

Frik du Preez, Danie Gerber, Michael Jones, Colin Meade, Gareth Edwards

Clyde Bawden, Sunday Tribune Managing Editor

Hugo Porta, Danie Gerber, Frik du Preez, Colin Meads, Daniel Carter

John Trachim, Mercury Sports

Willie John McBride,  Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, Jonah Lomu

Che Chadwick, rugby fanatic

Zinzan Brooke, Joost van der Westhuizen, Andre Joubert, Uli Schmidt, Butch James

Ed’s Note: Perhaps a raw deal for one of the greatest players to grace King’s Park, the “Rolls Royce”, Mr Andre Joubert? Come on chaps, give the man more respect. There are a raft of great players who come to mind who barely get a mention these days: Like Mark Ella, Tim Horan, Gysie Pienaar, Divan Serfontein, Chris Heunis, Buck Shelford, Richard Hill, Brian O’Driscoll . . . and on and on it goes.

The stats:

• Most Rugby World Cup matches played: 22, Jason Leonard, England 1991-2003
• Most points by a single player at the Rugby World Cup: 243, Johnny Wilkinson (1999-2007)
• Most points scored in a single Rugby World Cup campaign: 126, Grant Fox, 1987
• Most points in a single Rugby World Cup Game: 45, Simon Culhane, New Zealand vs. Japan 1999
• Most tries by a single player at the Rugby World Cup: 15, Jonah Lomu (1995, 1999)
• Most tries by a player in a single Rugby World Cup campaign: 8, Jonah Lomu in 1995 and Bryan Habana in 2007
• Most penalties kicked at the Rugby World Cup: 53, Johnny Wilkinson (1999-2007)
• Most Rugby World Cup campaigns: 5, Brian Lima, Samoa 1991-2007
• Highest score by a team in a Rugby World Cup match: 145, New Zealand vs. Japan 1995
• Most tries by a player in a single Rugby World Cup match: 6, Marc Ellis, New Zealand vs. Japan 1995
• Most tries scored by a team in a Rugby World Cup match: 22, Australia vs. Namibia 2003
• Biggest winning margin in a Rugby World Cup match: 142, Australia vs. Namibia 2003
• Most penalties in a single Rugby World Cup campaign: 31, Gonzalo Quesada, 1999
• Most penalties scored in a single match: 8, Matt Burke, Gavin Hastings, Gonzalo Quesada & Thierry Lacroix
• Most drop goals scored at the Rugby World Cup: 13, Johnny Wilkinson (1999-2007)
• Most drop goals scored in a single match: 5, Jannie de Beer, South Africa vs. England, 1999
• Longest distance drop goal: 52m, Andy Miller, Japan vs. Fiji 2003
• Most drop goals in one tournament: 8, Johnny Wilkinson, 2003
• Oldest player in a Rugby World Cup final: Mike Catt, 36 years 33 days, England vs. South Africa 2007
• Youngest player in a Rugby World Cup final: Thretton Palamo, 19 years 8 days, United States vs. South Africa 2007
• Number of draws in Rugby World Cup history: 2
• Number of matches where one team failed to score: 8
• Most conversions in Rugby World Cup history: 39, Gavin Hastings (1987-1995)
• Most conversions in a single Rugby World Cup: 30, Grant Fox, 1987
• Most conversions in a single Rugby World Cup match: 20, Simon Culhane, New Zealand vs. Japan 1995
• Number of teams to have participated in the Rugby World Cup during its history: 24

More web links and interesting facts on the 2011 Rugby World Cup

Leading scorers/tries/matches etc

Official rugby world cup records

More interesting views and stats on RWC