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Madiba`s birthday inspires Boks

Friday 18th July 2008

Defining moment: Nelson Mandela hands the Webb Ellis trophy to Francois Pienaar

It may be a day late, but the Springboks will attempt to add to former South African President Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations with victory over Australia in Saturday's Tri-Nations match in Perth.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across the globe as Mandela, or Madiba as he is also affectionately known, celebrates his 90th birthday.

Mandela's birthday celebrations started last month with a massive concert in London's Hyde Park to raise funds for his AIDS charity.

Mandela, the anti-apartheid campaigner whose five-year tenure as South Africa's first black president came after three decades behind bars, has been an inspiration to all - the Springboks included.

"We want to wish former President Mandela a very happy birthday," said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers from Perth.

"We hope he has a restful day surrounded by friends and family.

"He is the father of the nation, an icon of all that is good about our country, and I would like to thank him on behalf of the team for the sustained support he gives the Springboks every year.

"Hopefully, we will make him proud tomorrow."

The Springboks will be captained at the Subiaco Oval by Victor Matfield, who continues to deputise for the injured John Smit. Matfield spoke of the great respect the Boks have for Madiba.

"Mr Mandela has always had a special bond with the Springboks that goes back many years now. He always inspires us and whenever he has attended our matches we lift our game," said Matfield.

"From all the players, a very happy birthday Madiba. We hope to do our bit to make your birthday weekend very memorable."

South Africa had been a divided nation for decades under the apartheid regime, but thanks to the determination of one hugely popular man the whole country came together to unite behind the Springboks on their Rugby World Cup debut on home soil in 1995.

Mandela's appearance, wearing a South African rugby jersey at the Rugby World Cup 1995 final, was the single most significant moment in the history of the tournament.

That moment symbolised how sport can rise above all adversities and unite communities. Mandela's presence helped unify a newly emerging democratic nation and raised the profile of the Rugby World Cup around the globe.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was much more than a rugby tournament to South Africa, it was a unifying process of a new democratic nation, which was assisted by a nation uniting around a rugby team and showing support collectively.

Mandela was the man responsible for this by wearing the Springbok rugby jersey with captain Francois Pienaar's number six on his back.

The sight of Mandela handing over the trophy to Pienaar became one of the defining images of the 20th Century, the culmination of a dream tournament for South Africa and one the Rainbow Nation will never forget.

It defined so much more of what the potential of sport can be, a healer.

South African rugby's celebration of Madiba's 90th birthday will culminate in the Mandela Plate Test played between the Springboks and World Cup semi-finalists Argentina at Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) in Johannesburg on August 9.

The team at Planet Rugby would like to wish Madiba a very happy birthday!