This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 24, 1995, the Springboks made history by winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time. It was a moment that still fills Francois Pienaar, the team's captain, with a sense of awe and gratitude.
Speaking to AFP, Pienaar recalled the day he received the golden trophy from President Nelson Mandela, a moment that he described as 'probably the luckiest sports person ever'.
The close bond between Pienaar and Mandela began when the Springboks played in a jersey that many of Mandela's followers despised. However, the President's visionary and altruistic support of the team helped to bridge the racial divide.
It all started with a cup of tea, Pienaar revealed. Mandela invited him to visit him in his office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where they talked about everything from the World Cup to Pienaar's personal life.
'He wanted to know a lot about me,' Pienaar said, describing Mandela's genuine interest in his life.
Despite the high-powered people waiting outside, Mandela made time for Pienaar, even telling his assistant, Mary Mxadana, 'I'm speaking to my captain.' The two men formed an immediate bond, one that went beyond their shared love of rugby.
