Friday, 7th September 2007 at 10:54 am

Madiba magic boosts the Boks

South African rugby’s iconic image isn’t Francois Pienaar lifting the trophy, nor is Joel Stransky launching into the game’s most famous drop goal; no, the defining picture is Nelson Mandela arriving at Ellis Park in Pienaar’s number six jersey, a gesture that brought the country together as never before, and made rugby an unlikely catalyst for national unity.

12 years down the line, and Madiba is still backing the game, albeit from a more modest platform. Thursday saw the Springboks meet the former president, hand over a jersey, and get the quiet blessing from a man who’ll always have a romantic link to the game. The advice was probably more philosophical than technical - Feverpitcher doesn’t imagine Madiba was talking throw-in technique with John Smit - but it can only have given the team a boost on the eve of the tournament.

Things get underway today, with South Africa’s first game on Sunday, when Madiba’s words of support should still be reasonably fresh; they’ll be echoed by a thunderous wall of encouragement from back home, where World Cup fever has taken a firm hold. The win against Scotland, coupled with Pierre Spies the only casualty thus far, has the Springbok supporter in high spirits - and seeing Madiba with the team only heightens the belief that this could well be a triumphant tournament for South Africa.