We'll be honest - it hurts a little bit to listen to 'Zombie' now.
Though it originated as a rugby anthem at Munster's 2022 Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse in the Aviva Stadium, the Irish team unquestionably made the Cranberries classic their own at the Rugby World Cup, with emotional scenes of the 1994 anthem being belted out in stadiums in Bordeaux, Nantes, and Paris across September and October.
The campaign was, of course, to end in heartbreak for Ireland, with a true all-time Rugby World Cup classic against New Zealand on Saturday evening ending in an agonising four-point defeat for Andy Farrell's Irish side.
READ HERE: New Zealand Pundits Label Irish 'Bad Losers' After World Cup 'Humbling'
It was yet another bitterly disappointing last-eight exit, but Ireland will hold their heads high - and the fans who made the tournament in France a special one from the stands will certainly have similarly special memories of belting out 'Zombie' in the Stade de France during the early phases of the tournament.
Perhaps the best rendition of the song came after the pool stage win over defending world champions South Africa - and now it seems as though the Springboks are attempting to claim the song for their own.
READ HERE: Zombie Proving Divisive As It Becomes Ireland's New Rugby Anthem
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Rassie Erasmus and Sprinboks embrace 'Zombie' as World Cup anthem
Rassie Erasmus may be something of a divisive figure in Irish rugby, but it can't be denied that his antics have injected even more live into what has already been a riveting World Cup.
On Wednesday, he would praise the Irish fans for their immense support of their team during the tournament. He had a particular soft spot for their rendition of 'Zombie,' praising the Irish fans for their rousing performance of it at the Stade de France after September's epic pool game, calling it "great and intimidating.".
Erasmus, however, would then cheekily post a video of Springbok fans at the World Cup giving the song a go themselves, in a trend Irish fans will be hoping doesn't catch on for the rest of the tournament.
Always loved the song Zombie by the Cranberries and the Irish fans certainly embraced it during the RWC making it their own. It was great and intimidating. Our 🇿🇦 people gave them a damn good go 👏 Lekka 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/NW00nH9zey
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) October 18, 2023
He is not the first associated with South African rugby who has jokingly (or sincerely) tried to claim the song for the Springboks in the aftermath of Ireland's exit from the World Cup
South Africa fan account 'Captain Springbok' had an edit made mashing Rassie Erasmus' face with that of the late Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, in the distinctive gold look from the music video for 'Zombie.'
We’re winning this World Cup and we’re taking this song with us too! Thanks! #RWC2023 #RSAvsTGA #Springboks pic.twitter.com/aQhNt2tkxG
— Captain Springbok 🤜🤛 (@CaptSpringbok) October 1, 2023
Irish fans will still be hurting from their World Cup exit - the idea of the Springboks claiming 'Zombie' for themselves may be too much for some to fathom.
South Africa face England in the second of the weekend's semi-finals, with kick-off from the Stade de France at 8pm on Saturday.
SEE ALSO: Ireland's Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal Broke A Major TV Record In France
