Part 7/10:
In this spirit of communal recovery, Mandela learned to remember each player’s name and included the voice of sports fans like commentator Johan, who had previously criticized the Springboks, but was now displaying cautious optimism.
The Path to Glory
Preparations for the Rugby World Cup kicked into high gear and the first matches fostered a renewed sense of national pride. Mandela’s personal ties to the team meant that he was present during pivotal moments, from wishing them luck to visiting Robben Island, a site of his early imprisonment, which profoundly impacted Francois and the players.