Playing the Enemy

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A thrilling, inspiring account of one of history's greatest charm offensives—Nelson Mandela's decade-long campaign to unite South Africa, beginning in his prison cell and culminating in a rugby tournament. In 1985, Mandela, imprisoned for twenty-three years, set out to win over apartheid's fiercest proponents, from his jailers to military leaders. After securing his freedom, he became president in the nation’s first free election in 1994, yet South Africa remained dangerously divided by decades of apartheid. To unite the country quickly, Mandela needed a shared cause. He chose the national rugby team, the Springboks, who were set to host the 1995 World Cup, despite their legacy as symbols of white supremacy. Initially, the Springboks' chances of victory seemed slim, and their appeal to black South Africans was even more remote. Yet Mandela believed they could embody the new South Africa. As their surprising victories mounted, South Africans of all backgrounds began to rally behind the team. During the championship match against New Zealand, Mandela wore a Springbok jersey while fans chanted his name. The Springboks' nail-biting victory not only marked a sports triumph but also capped Mandela's remarkable effort to unite forty-three million South Africans. John Carlin offers a unique portrait of Mandela, blending race, sport, and politics, illustrating how their championship transcended mere victory to heal a nation.