In June 1995, Nelson Mandela conquered the hearts of white South Africa and united his country, black and white, behind their rugby team. This book tells the extraordinary story of the journey to that moment. As the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup dawned, and the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks, more was at stake than a sporting trophy. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa. "Playing the Enemy" tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and tells of how - just occasionally - something as simple as a game really can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences.

About the Author

John Carlin grew up in Argentina and in the UK and spent 1989-95 in South Africa as the Independent's correspondent there. He has also lived in Nicaragua, Mexico and Washington, writing for The Times, the Observer, the Sunday Times, the New York Times, among other papers, and working for the BBC. He now lives in Barcelona, where he writes for El Pais.

Reviews

Carlin offers the final dramatic chapters of how then president Nelson Mandela and his wily strategy of using a sporting event--the Sprinkboks rugby team in the 1995 World Cup--to mend South Africa. Carlin, a senior international writer for El Pa¡s, quotes Mandela: "Sports has the power to change the world.... It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers." After giving an informed capsule history of apartheid's bitter legacy and Mandela's noble stature as a leader, the scene is set for the influential rugby match between the solid New Zealand team and the scrappy South African squad in the finals of the World Cup, with 43 million blacks and whites awaiting the outcome. All of the cast in Afrikaner lore are here--Botha, DeKlerk, Bernard, Viljeon--as they match wits with Mandela. Carlin concludes this excellent book of redemption and forgiveness with chapters that depict how a divided country can be elevated beyond hate and malice to pride and healing. (Aug.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

"* 'Wonderful... Don't wait for the movie.' - New York Times * 'A triumphant conversion... A portrait of South Africa's answer to George Washington... [It] works because Carlin got so close to Mandela and the people Mandela seduced.' - Simon Kuper, Financial Times * 'Revelatory... A tight, gripping and powerful book that shines a light on a moment of hope, not just for one nation but the whole world.' - Daily Express * 'A fascinating story... Thirteen years on, it is possible to look back with emotion at a moment which suggested that everything was possible.' - Justin Cartwright, Sunday Telegraph"

How newly elected president Nelson Mandela helped unite South Africa by getting behind the national rugby team, a former symbol of apartheid that faced an uphill battle when the country hosted the World Cup in 1995. Guess who won the championship? Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.