"I am probably the luckiest sports person ever because of the unique relationship (with Mandela)," he says of a man who became a father figure to him.Their close bond, a young white Afrikaner and the famous black prisoner of Robben Island, grew out of Pienaar's captaincy of the Springboks and Mandela's visionary and altruistic support of a team who played in a jersey many of his followers despised. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service"How Nelson Mandela inspired Francois Pienaar and Springboks to conquer the worldHow Nelson Mandela inspired Francois Pienaar and Springboks to conquer the worldHow Nelson Mandela inspired Francois Pienaar and Springboks to conquer the worldBickering in IOA continues as names of EC members, associate VPs and joint secretaries removedImmersive television viewing gets better and affordable with the OnePlus TV Y Series: A look at the top features193 athletes offered grants from Athlete Welfare FundLive: IMD warns of intense rain, strong winds in Mumbai, Maha CM asks people to ...Live: Ram Temple billboard at New York's Times SquareRam belongs to all; centuries' long wait over: PM Modi at 'bhoomi pujan'Sushant case live: ED summons Rhea Chakraborty for questioning in money launderi...Grocery shopping tips to stay safe amid coronavirusFace shields for an added protection when you step out of your homeWebcams with built-in mic for easy vlogging and conferencing "I know it sounds bizarre. © Francois Nel - World Rugby via Getty Images Francois Pienaar, even 25 years on, conveys a sense of disbelief and awe when he talks of that crisp Highveld winter's day that the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup for the first time.The Springbok captain's wonder is not so much about the fact that his team won the Webb Ellis Cup at Ellis Park on June 24 1995, for he says he always felt they could pull it off, but that he received the golden trophy from President Nelson Mandela. He wanted to know a lot about me. © Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images You're tossing and turning - it is the biggest thing that's ever going to happen in your life. When Mr Mandela asked to be the godfather of Jean was a long time ago - eight years ago - but they still remember it and they are very blessed kids.Watch the full Hardtalk interview on the BBC iPlayer You saw my reaction - you bite your lip and I walked over to him and actually I didn't even get to him and he said 'good luck boys' and he turned round and my number was on his back. South Africa's Handré Pollard (top) and England's George Ford battle for the ball. I am truly the luckiest sportsman alive by a long way; to be so privileged at that time to be the captain, to share the platform with him, to be influenced by him and to get to know him so well," Pienaar said.Pienaar was dropped from the Springbok side in 1996 and when he announced he would be leaving to join Saracens in London, Mandela summoned him to lunch and left him with a final request. I wanted to jump over and give him a hug but I said to him 'no sir, thank you for what you've done for this country' because if he didn't ask - or tell - the ANC and the black people in South Africa that this is our team, they're playing for us, we're one team, we're one country, embrace them, then we wouldn't have had the support we've had.I think it's very difficult to understand and contextualise how it changed South Africa. Vintage 100% cotton retro style polo inspired by the Invictus movie, Nelson Mandela & Springbok captain Francois Pienaar. We'd played New Zealand on a number of occasions, our trend was up and it was a real opportunity to do something special - so immediately after he'd left I had to calm the team down. South Africa's Handre Pollard scores a penalty. If you look at the last 20 years what South Africa has done has been phenomenal. And that's the trouble. Some of these people were killed after he came out of prison. Fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere. He was appointed Springbok captain from his first test and remained captain until his last, and remains one of the most successful South African captains of all time. Francois Pienaar, even 25 years on, conveys a sense of disbelief and awe when he talks of that crisp Highveld winter's day that the Springboks won … Hollywood gets it wrong over Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar Rugby gets the Hollywood treatment. When you grow up and you can play a bit of rugby, the question is always 'do you think he can be a Springbok one day?' We had to explain that he didn't get the call! When I saw the images of people in the street, dancing, laughing, hugging one another, crying, like we've seen at Mr Mandela's passing, I realised it was special but I didn't realise how big it was. South African players listen to the national anthem. I remember what happened to Chris Hani [leader of the South African Communist Party, assassinated by a far-right extremist in 1993] this country was on its edge but his love for the goodness in people is so infectious.

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