Hosting the big events
Brad Morgan
20 May 2004
South Africa has proved itself on the world stage as a country capable not only of hosting huge sports events, but of making outstanding successes of them.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was well supported by the public, and as the Springboks progressed through the competition so perceived prejudices between black and white South Africans fell away as the nation united behind the national team. All that mattered was that the Boks won.
When they edged out New Zealand 15-12 in the final, the rainbow nation erupted with joy. It was a significant event, as rugby had for so long been the sport associated with the oppressor. The image of Nelson Mandela handing the William Webb Ellis Trophy to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, while wearing Pienaar's number six jersey, will live on in the minds of many South Africans.
A year later, Mandela was on hand once more to present another big trophy to a South African team. This time it was the national soccer
team, under charismatic coach Clive Barker, lifting the African Cup of Nations.
Playing attractive football Bafana, swept through to the final with a series of impressive performances. There they faced Tunisia, and a double from striker Mark Williams sent a packed FNB Stadium, awash in the colours of the new national flag, into ecstasy.
Again, the tournament went off smoothly, with excellent attendances and well behaved supporters, something that soccer matches are not always associated with.
Two years later the world's top athletes were in Johannesburg for the World Cup of Athletics. Despite unusually poor weather the competition went off without a hitch, South Africa's athletes playing a vital role in helping Africa to victory in the team competition.
In 2003 the country had the opportunity to host the Cricket World Cup. A difficult political situation in Zimbabwe detracted from the competition because some matches were hosted by South Africa's
neighbour, while New Zealand refused to play in Kenya because of terrorism fears.
The matches in South Africa went off well, however. The only downer for South African fans was the below-par performances of the Proteas, who failed to make the Super Sixes knockout stage.
The World Cup was well supported and, in a high-scoring final at The Wanderers, Australia defended the title they had won four years previously in England.
Next up for South Africa: the 2010 Football World Cup.
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