Battle of the Giants: SA v NZ, Part 6

It is a rivalry that has been going on for the best part of a century, this is the final part of the Battle of the Giants – the Closest of Enemies.

In this episode we look at the impact the Cavaliers had on touring South Africa during the international boycott and how an iconic moment changed the lives and hopes of an entire country.

Colin Meads led a 1986 touring squad to South Africa and felt that by doing so, they could do more good by keeping the greatest rivalry alive despite the disappointment of major political figure-heads.

The tour, however, made a lasting impression on the world as it is widely speculated that the players were paid to play on this tour, paving the way for professionalism in the game.

South Africa then began to reform it's political process. The country and the Springboks entered a new era and South African rugby burst back onto the world's stage when they claimed the Webb Ellis trophy.

The moment that will be etched in the memory of every human-being is when former President Nelson Mandela walked out onto Ellis Park in his No.6 Springbok jersey to hand the trophy over to captain Francois Pienaar.

And, as they say, the rest is history!