SA rugby enters hall of fame
Mandela joins five other South Africans in receiving global honour during 2015 World Cup
SIX SOUTH Africans, including former president Nelson Mandela, were inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame in October. The South Africans were among 26 of the greatest figures to be associated with rugby over the decades.
Apart from Mandela, those inducted were Naas Botha, Danie Gerber, Hennie Muller, Morne du Plessis and Joost van der Westhuizen.
When international rugby came to Newcastle for the first time on October 3, 2015, it was fitting that South Africa’s Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B tie with Scotland at St James’ Park was marked by the induction of Mandela into the Hall of Fame at a special ceremony prior to kick-off.
Mandela provided one of the most iconic images in Rugby World Cup history when he presented Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup in 1995 while wearing the Springbok jersey, once regarded as a symbol for the apartheid regime he tirelessly strove to overthrow.
Twenty-seven of Mandela’s 95 years were spent in captivity as a result of his brave fight for freedom and racial equality – yet his generosity of spirit and forgiveness knew no bounds.
A previously divided nation had come together as one, and 20 years on, tens of thousands of South African and Scottish rugby supporters did the same on a joyous – and occasionally raucous – weekend in Newcastle which, had he been alive, Mandela would no doubt have fully embraced.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen and Pienaar were present at St James’ Park to receive the commemorative Hall of Fame cap from World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset on his behalf.
Speaking about Mandela’s induction, Lapasset said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.
“Mandela certainly fits in that category. He was instrumental in turning Rugby World Cup 1995 into a momentous occasion that united the South African nation through the power of sport.
“By supporting the Springboks so passionately and publicly on their way to victory, Mandela helped to change attitudes, soften hearts and convince minds of the right course of history for his country to take and, in the process, became a wonderful example to us all.”
At the Hall of Fame ceremony, players from the pioneering days of the sport in Victorian times through to the professional era were recognised for their contribution to rugby whether as players, coaches or, in Bill McLaren’s case, as a broadcaster without peer.
Eighteen captains of their country were included in the list of 25, Irishman Fergus Slattery and Welshman Mervyn Davies just two of the names that “the voice of rugby” McLaren once reeled off in his unforgettable BBC commentaries.
With seven inductees, Wales enjoyed the highest representation of any country. Joining twice-capped coaching guru Carwyn James on the list were many of the players who benefited from his wisdom in the halcyon period of success that Wales enjoyed in the 1970s.
All of the inductees were awarded framed caps from Lapasset and World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper, with family members representing those individuals who have passed away such as war heroes and former England internationals Ronald PoultonPalmer and Edgar Mobbs.
Chris Rea and Pablo Mamone, who form the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel along with Henri Garcia, Nigel Starmer-Smith, Don Cameron, Jim Webster and secretary Chris Thau, were also in attendance on a night when the loudest and longest round of applause was reserved for former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen.
To a man and woman, a packed room stood to acknowledge Van der Westhuizen as he was wheeled onto the stage by his brother Peter.
Once voted by rugby fans as the greatest scrumhalf to have appeared at the Rugby World Cup, the 1995 winner has also won admiration for the courage he has shown since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011. – ANA