How did Nelson Mandela use the South African Rugby Team to unify South Africa?

Rugby was/is mainly perceived as a white game. - Even today, it attracts mainly white supporters, and most of the players are white. - In 1995, there were still fears about the policies the government would adopt in regards to the treatment of white people. Mandela showed white South Africans that there was not cause for worry, and that they would be included in the new South Africa. - Specifically, he supported the team every step of the way, and encouraged South Africans of all races to get behind the Springboks (the name of the national rugby team). South Africa is a sports obsessed nation, so supporting this together made us aware of our similarities and not our differences. Particularly symbolic and a treasured memory of many South Africans, was when Mandela put on Francios Pienaar's jersey after we won. Also, as a nation, we had to pull together to make the world cup successful.