The man who was considered the greatest man alive has died.
So often our default choice of hero or someone we looked up to for many of us growing up, Nelson Mandela has now deservedly passed into the annals of memory and history, having passed away quietly at the age of 95 in his home in Johannesburg.
We all know full well how his toil indirectly and directly changed South Africa and the world looked towards black Africans so I won't mention too much here.
Indeed, his effect has been so profound that even the most meaningless thing like sport felt the great effect of Madiba.
His most famous contribution to the world of sport was probably his presence at Ellis Park in Johannesburg for the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final and donning the number 6 Springboks jersey of captain Francois Pienaar.
There is no doubt, the presence of this great leader inspired a Springboks side to beat the heavy favourites the All Blacks that had only just emerged from international sporting exile only 4 years ago following the end on the ban on the nation from the international sporting community.
Make no mistake, the All Blacks were absolutely dead certain favourites to win the third ever Rugby World Cup with the basis of one of its greatest ever teams - Sean Fitzpatrick, Ian Jones, Robin Brooke, Josh Kronfeld, Zinzan Brooke, Andrew Mehrtens, Frank Bunce, Walter Little, Glen Osbourne, Jeff Wilson and of course, the unstoppable Jonah Lomu.
The Springboks had done respectably in their first ever Rugby World Cup, having beaten the Wallabies in the opening game but only just about beat the French in the semifinal and even at home, surely weren't expected to beat an in-form All Black side with Jonah Lomu running over defenders.
Alas, in a brutal but thrilling arm-wrestle, the Springboks were inspired taking the game to extra time where Joel Stransky kicked the winning drop goal to send South Africa in raptures.
The victory was a significant one for South Africa particularly given it was about a sport that for so long had been the domain of the white man and one which had been a symbol of apartheid and the struggle of black Africans.
It was a key unifying moment for South Africa and its effects would be felt throughout other sports.
Sure there are still struggles to ensure racial parity in all sport in South Africa - the thorny subject of racial quotas still pops up from time to time.
However, there have never been more black - and indeed coloured - rugby and cricket players than right now and that must be credited to Nelson Mandela.
Madiba. Definitely the greatest.
#RIPNelsonMandela
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