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Rugby World Cup 1995 Rugby Shirt. Inspired by the movie Invictus and the 1995 RWC Springbok victory.
Nelson Mandela and the Rugby World Cup 1995
On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela was released. From Victor Verster Prison after having spent 27 years in jail. Four years later. Mandela is elected the first black President of South Africa. His presidency faces enormous challenges. In the post-Apartheid era. Including rampant poverty and crime. And Mandela is particularly concerned about racial divisions between black and white South Africans. Which could lead to violence.
All South Africa to support the Springboks
While attending a game between the Springboks. The country’s rugby union team, and England. Mandela recognises that some black people in the stadium are cheering for England. And not their own country. As the mostly-white Springboks represent prejudice and apartheid in their minds. He remarks that he did the same while imprisoned on Robben Island.
Francois Pienaar – Invictus – Man in the Arena
He then meets with the captain of the Springboks rugby team. François Pienaar (Matt Damon). And implies that a Springboks victory in the World Cup will unite and inspire the nation. Mandela also shares with François a British poem, “Invictus”. It was this that had inspired him during his time in prison. In fact, this isn’t factually correct as it was the famous ‘Man in the Arena’ 1910 speech by Theodore Roosevelt that Mandela handed to Pienaar.
