Under the bludgeonings of fate
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishment the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Over there.
Dada? Madiba?
Sir?
What happened?
It's simple exhaustion, but it will lead to worse if it's not treated.
He needs a complete rest.
And I don't mean just simply shifting the affairs of the state to his bedroom.
No phone calls, no visitors, no meetings, no politics.
You know him, he won't do that.
- Then I'm going to put him in isolation. - Not yet. I'll threaten him with hospital...
...if he doesn't behave. - I'll cancel everything.
And I'll come back tonight to make sure he's not working.
Don't cancel the trip to Taiwan, not yet.
Chester's back.
Okay, back to the line.
Try to South Africa scored by Chester Williams.
All right.
Fuck you, pussy.
Ball's trapped, green put-in.
Game over. Final score: South Africa, 42, Samoa, 14.
Bokke! Bokke! Bokke!
- Madiba? - Hm?
- This is the delegation that you have been... - Oh, I know who this is.
Welcome. Thank you for coming so far to see me.
Thank you. How do you do?
- I'm fine. Welcome. - Thank you very much.
Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the rain delay.
The semifinal match between South Africa and France will begin as soon as possible.
- This is it, let's go. - Let's go!
Expect it to grow faster than other sectors in the next few years.
Manufacturing accounts for 40...
To promote our international business alliances.
Strong industries have developed in shipping and computers.
- Our information... - Please, excuse me.
Yes, Mr. President, of course.
Gentlemen, let us continue in 10 minutes.
This is good, very good.
So who is our next opponent?
The All Blacks play England tomorrow. Then we'll know.
I see.
Well, you will make sure that my schedule is free for the entire match.
Oh, yes, Dada.
This is good. This is very good.
Brilliant.
- Look at the power of that man. - There he goes. Two.
- Cheers, mate. - Beautiful try.
His All Black teammates come to congratulate the big fella yet again.
Lomu is becoming one of the most intimidating...
Why don't we do a little work while we're here?
Just enjoy the rugby.
- World Cup semifinal against England.
Good clearance from the base of the scrum.
So let me understand this.
The All Blacks are killing a team that trashed us last year.
- Thanks for reminding me. - Yes.
- And he is... - We're gonna really have to tackle...
...a lot better than the English. - Yeah. For sure.
- We do. - For sure, yeah.
That is Lomu's second try this afternoon.
This guy really likes scoring tries against the English...
Are those the judicial appointments for the Free States?
They'll keep until after the match.
There's the kick.
I am the president, you know.
And the conversion is good.
Are you watching this guy? He's about your size, but...
- How much does this Lomu guy weigh? - About 120 kilos.
Shit. It's the same as me.
Yeah, but you're slow.
Lomu looks for contact every time he gets the ball.
- Yep. - That's good for us.
Yep.
I will break my arm, my leg, my neck, but I will not let that freaking guy go.
Me too, cappie. Me too.
- With you, cappie. With you. - All the way.
A lot of pushing in the lineup over there.
Players jostling for position.
Try to spin it when you pass it, yeah? Like this:
- Yes. - No.
Touch.
You must fly in there.
Still think I'm wasting my time with the rugby?
- He's in the clear and he will go... - Brenda.
Please tell the minister of sport...
...I would like a full report on the All Blacks.
- This rugby. - Hm?
It's still strictly political?
Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Of course.
- And over the try line as well.
MRS. PIENAAR: Sweetheart. - Hello.
- Hello, Nerine. - François.
- Don't lose them, won't be able to get more. - Thanks, François.
Me, Mum, Nerine.
Wait, there's a fourth.
Who's that for?
The All Blacks beat Ireland 43 to 19.
- I see. - They beat Wales 34 to 9.
- I see. - They beat Japan 145 to 17.
A hundred and forty-five points? In one match?
It's a new international record.
They beat Scotland 48 to 30 in the quarterfinals.
- You saw the match with England. - Yes.
Forty-five to 29, and it was not that close.
They seem unstoppable.
If the opposing team played them straight up, Jonah Lomu runs wild.
If they focus on Lomu, that leaves others free.
And also, there's the business of the haka.
A Maori war dance. Yes. It is very powerful.
My sources tell me that half of the All Black matches...
...are won before the first whistle because of it.
How can we beat them?
I have the coach's number. Maybe you could call him and ask.
No, no, I don't want to distract their focus, even for one minute.
But how can we win?
Maybe we won't. They're favored 2-to-1.
Madiba, we have already exceeded all expectations, on and off the field.
It's not enough. Not now. Not so close.
This country is hungry for greatness.
Brought one of your mum's protein shakes.
Thinking about tomorrow?
No.
Tomorrow's taken care of, one way or another.
I was thinking about how you spend 30 years in a tiny cell...
...and come out ready to forgive the people who put you there.
Come on, man. There's nothing more you can do today.
Have I ever mentioned to you that I hate rugby?
Once or twice. Yes.
I just wanna get him through tomorrow safely, that's all.
We all do.
The tickets sold out long before the team became popular.
There's not exactly going to be the rainbow nation out there.
And that's the reality.
Now, all it takes is one idiot trying to make a statement...
...or one fool who thinks that he hears God speaking to him through the radio.
It has happened before, but not today.
Not on our watch and not today.
- Flag face, 5 rand. Flag face. - Oh, bugger off.
It's all right.
We are at Ellis Park on this historic day...
...where even this early, crowd expectation is at fever pitch...
...because their beloved green and gold...
...has somehow managed to defy all expectations.
But now, they come up against a team unlike any they have placed before.
These All Blacks are possibly one of the greatest international sides ever...
...with a player in Jonah Lomu...
...who is as dominant as any this correspondent has ever seen.
Madiba!
- Madiba! - Madiba!
Madiba!
Bokke! Bokke! Bokke!
Final approach, captain.
Let it be noted that I'm taking control of the aircraft.
Duly noted.
I take full responsibility for what happens from now on.
Do you see that jet to the east?
- They get clearance for this? - Not from us.
Where is he?
VIP box.
Let's get him out of there now.
No time.
What the hell was that?
- Bokke! - Yes!
Come on.
Welcome to Ellis Park, Johannesburg...
...and the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final.
Please welcome the South African Springboks.
Bokke! Bokke! Bokke!
And the New Zealand All Blacks.
All Blacks! All Blacks! All Blacks!
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome...
...the president of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
Dr. Nelson Mandela, the president of South Africa...
...in the rugby jersey with a Number 6 on its back.
The All Blacks won't like that.
François, your country is very proud of you.
Thank you, sir.
- Good luck. - Thank you.
- This is Ruben Kruger. - Mr. President.
- Hi. Good luck to you, son. - Thank you.
Good luck to you, son.
The dignities out there with Dr. Mandela...
Chester.
I want you to know that your whole country is supporting you.
- Good luck. - Thank you, sir.
Good luck, son.
What dramatic moments here at Ellis Park.
I don't think I've ever seen so many flags in one stadium.
- Hi. - Our captain.
An honor, sir.
- Mr. President. - Good luck.
- Jonah. - Good afternoon, sir.
- Nice to see you. - Thank you.
I'm a little afraid of you.
And that's big Jonah Lomu, a big day for him.
- You all be careful now. - Yeah.
Good luck.
Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!
Dr. Mandela just lifting his cap to the 62,000 people...
Eunice!
Wonderful aerial shot of Ellis Park Stadium.
A very emotional moment for both teams.
Ladies and gentlemen, the national anthem of South Africa.
South African national anthems.
What an unbelievable spectacular here in Johannesburg.
The match will now begin.
All right.
Perhaps we should make a little wager.
All your gold for all our sheep.
Well, I was thinking more along the lines of a case of wine.
The celebration's over.
We're now down to the big game and we await the haka of New Zealand.
Well, that's the challenge that's laid down by the Maoris before going into battle.
Outside, outside!
...New Zealand with the best attacking side of the tournament.
This first 20 minutes will be absolutely critical.
South Africa has the weight advantage in the scrums...
...but I don't think many people have seen a weak New Zealand scrum.
Put it out!
South Africa had it in the maul and they should've played it.
Good interplay by New Zealand. Now, here's a chance for them.
Engage.
Break.
Come, boys.
What the heck are we doing?
Lomu is culling us.
Forwards, we must start scrumming.
We must disrupt him at the first phase. Can't allow Lomu to get the ball in space.
He's freaking killing us.
But listen, if Lomu gets the ball, whoever's there...
...James, Joost...
...hit the fucking guy, hold onto him, hold him.
Help will come, help will be there.
We can see that New Zealand were looking to try...
...and stretch the game to the left to Jonah Lomu, and give him some time and space.
Most of the opportunities have gone New Zealand's way.
Now, now, now!
Penalty. Carrying the ball.
That's the mark.
Captain. Posts.
Kick is good. Number 10, Andrew Mehrtens.
First blood to New Zealand.
Great all-around fly half is Andrew Mehrtens...
...born here in South Africa in Durban.
And now Stransky gets a kick that's every bit as important as the one that Mehrtens...
The kick is good. Number 10, Joel Stransky.
New Zealand to restart.
Penalty. Carrying the ball.
Posts.
Such an important kick for New Zealand.
The penalty kick is converted. Andrew Mehrtens for New Zealand.
New Zealand, 6, South Africa, 3.
It's a great kick from Mehrtens. Thirteen minutes gone.
They're at 6 points to 3, New Zealand leads South Africa.
- Release the ball. - Come on.
About 21 minutes gone. Both teams, up on it, 6 points each.
Boks kick a goal for the lead for the first time in the match.
Last feet.
Stay. Stay.
Successful attempt for New Zealand.
Wide, wide!
Unsuccessful kick. The score remains 9-9.
That's the closing score, 9 points all.
And now there will be a five-minute break.
This is the first final in the history of the World Cup where we're having extra time.
Extra time.
So, what does this mean?
Extra time. Twenty minutes.
I don't think I can take it.
lt'll be a test of great character in these last 20 minutes of this match.
Who's the fittest team on this field?
Outside, outside!
Crouch. Engage!
Break.
Penalty.
New Zealand, 12, South Africa, 9.
A great kick from Andrew Mehrtens.
Well, he certainly had length in reserve...
...because it was high, high above the crossbar...
Penalty against green.
Time off.
- Five minutes, sir. - François.
Too many guys off their feet at the rucks.
- Okay. - Speak to your team.
- I'll talk to them. Speak to them. - Yes.
Switch to Jonah Lomu.
Big man's been quiet in this match and that's credit to South Africa's...
Heads up.
Look in my eyes.
Do you hear?
Listen to your country.
Seven minutes.
Defense, defense, defense.
This is it.
This is our destiny.
- Come, Bokke! Come! - Yeah!
Come on!
How long before the end?
- Seven minutes. - Seven minutes.
New Zealand leads by 12 points to 9.
This will be the longest seven minutes that those 15...
Spin, spin!
Yes! Yes, Bokke!
Stransky, this time, has got this kick of immense importance for his country.
Yeah.
Five minutes in extra playing time.
Now, now!
And that is the way one can get a big man coming...
Joost!
And squeeze.
Joost!
Has he got it?
With minutes remaining, South Africa takes the lead, 15 to 12.
Yes!
Fifteen points to 12.
South Africa!
Ellis on the outside.
Great play here by Marc Ellis in reading the game, but he can't take...
South Africa will have go into the scrum...
Drive!
They've won!
- Yes! - Yeah!
Yes!
Chester, will you lead us in a prayer?
Thanks, Lord, for getting us into this final.
Thanks for no serious injuries.
And most of all, thanks for the win. Amen.
Amen.
Good game.
Marvelous. Marvelous.
Good job.
François, a few words.
Great game.
But you couldn't have done it without the amazing support...
...of 63,000 South Africans here today.
Yeah. We didn't have the support of 60,000 South Africans.
We had the support of 43 million South Africans.
I want to thank you for what you have done for our country.
No, Mr. President, thank you for what you have done for our country.
Yeah, it's beautiful, it's beautiful, it's beautiful.
This route is crowded. Let's change to route C.
Okay.
There's no hurry here. No hurry at all.
Madiba says there's no need to hurry.
Yeah.
It's good, it's good, it's good.
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.