This weekend Bishops is hosting the U13 Independent Schools Rugby Festival.  Today we remember the epic Rugby World Cup final of 1995.  What made it a defining moment in history is the moment when Nelson Mandela wore the Springbok jersey:

He emerged into bright winter sunshine, stepped on to the lush field and pulled on a cap. His long-sleeve green rugby jersey was untucked and buttoned right up to the top, a style all his own. On the back, a gold No.6, big and bold.

Within seconds, the chants went up from the fans packed into Ellis Park stadium in the heart of Johannesburg: "Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!"

(Taken from an article written for the Sunday Morning Herald in 2013 - CLICK HERE for details)

As he himself has said and many have quoted since:

Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."

(Nelson Mandela during a speech five years after that match)

Wishing all the visiting schools an excellent Festival and may friendships and bonds be built.  Many of these young U13s are very likely to become the future Springbok players.

To find out more about the schools participating in the festival and the programme, please download the brochure below.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BROCHURE - Independent Schools Rugby Festivalf 2022