Reeling in history

Former South Africa rugby captain Francois Pienaar will soon join the select club of sports legends who have had their life depicted on a Hollywood silver screen.

Pienaar's greatest sporting achievement– when he lifted the Rugby World Cup trophy in 1995 – will be portrayed in the Clint Eastwood-directed Human Factor, currently being shot in South Africa.

The film, to be released in December, will focus on the life of former South African President Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, after the fall of apartheid and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Matt Damon will play Pienaar, who led the Springboks to a 15-12 win against New Zealand in the Ellis Park final.

The most iconic moment of that day, when Mandela, dressed in a Springbok shirt, handed the Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar, will also be portrayed. It is acknowledged as the most significant gesture in easing tensions between a nation previously split by racial hatred.

And for Pienaar, that afternoon on June 24, 1995, is still fresh in his memory, even today. "I have still not been able to find the right words to describe the atmosphere, what happened in South Africa and the togetherness of my country – it was awesome," the 42-year-old told Emirates Business exclusively on a recent visit to Dubai.

"It is one of the most amazing moments I have ever, and probably will ever, experience.

"And not only me – I have heard a lot of South African's speak fondly about that moment where, for the first time in our history, everybody supported the team, which was just phenomenal.

"I was very blessed to be at the right moment at the right time."

For Pienaar, his relationship with the former president is much more personal than that single moment – one of his sons has Mandela as a godfather.

"Mandela is a special person, who has a special aura around him, but he also has a wonderful humility and a great vision," says the former flanker, with 29 international caps. "He was our inspiration in 1995 and it was almost unfair to have him as our 'mascot' at the final because he gave us an edge."

Pienaar's Springbok Class of 1995 is now not the only South African team to win the Webb Ellis Cup. In 2007, the nation's team went on to win their second Rugby World Cup in France, when they beat England 15-6 in the final in Paris.

And the former captain is extremely pleased at how crucial a role the sport has played in the history of the country.

"The guys are very professional now; we were amateurs – for them it is their job. The team in 2007 was phenomenal, very physical with great speed and character.

"When they won the World Cup and returned to South Africa you saw the people lining the streets to shake their hands – representative of everyone in the country – which has shown the Springboks have now twice united a nation and that is wonderful."

While the John Carlin film, which is based on the book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation, is being shot in Cape Town, Pienaar has been kept busy on another sport. He has been signed up to help the marketing team of the Indian Premier League cricket twenty20 tournament currently being played in South Africa until May 22.

After the IPL is completed, however, Pienaar and the rugby community are bracing themselves for a visit by the British and Irish Lions. The visitors begin their 10-match, five-week tour on May 30 with the first Test taking place on June 20 in Durban.

"In rugby in South Africa you always want to be in the top two in the world, which they are, and I think that's a measure on how well they are doing.

"The South African team are doing well, the coach [Peter de Villiers] is bedding his way of coaching and it will be very exciting."

One thing that doesn't please Pienaar though, is the decision by the South African government to replace the century-old Springbok emblem with a King Protea – the country's national flower – insignia on all the national team's apparel.

"The Springbok, since my time, has always been a unifying force," says Pienaar. "Whenever I put the jersey on from when I can remember in 1993, it has always brought the country together. When I am at home I receive compliments from people who would not have watched the game prior to 1995 and they call me 'my captain' and that to me is the best accolade the Springbok has provided.

"And Mandela chose to wear it as a symbol of reconciliation so if it is good enough for him, it should be good enough for everybody."


South Africa bid for World Cup

South Africa want to stage the Rugby World Cup 20 years after hosting the 'Nelson Mandela' final in which they defeated the All Blacks.

National rugby union president Oregan Hoskins confirmed South Africa have formally bid to run the 2015 or 2019 edition of the biennial tournament.

Winning the 2015 bid against expected opposition from England, Italy and Japan would bring the Rugby World Cup back to South Africa on the 20th anniversary of a tournament that reached far beyond sport.

New Zealand will stage the tournament for the second time in 2011. (AFP)

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