The 16th Man – ESPN Film’s 30 for 30 Series – Rugby Documentary

I watched The 16th Man last night and was very impressed. I would highly recommend that you set your DVR or schedule a time to watch the documentary. Its not very often that rugby is on ESPN!

from Rugby Strong:

The 16th Man. Directed by Clifford Bestall. Produced by Morgan Freeman & Lori McCreary.

View the trailer here

Rugby has long been viewed in South Africa as a game for the white population, and the country’s success in the sport has been a true source of Afrikaner pride. When the 50-year-old policies and entrenched injustices of apartheid were finally overthrown in 1994, Nelson Mandela’s new government began rebuilding a nation badly in need of racial unity. So the world was watching when South Africa played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Though they had only one non-white player, the South African Springboks gained supporters of all colors as they made an improbable run into the final match where they beat the heavily favored New Zealand team. When Mandela himself marched to the center of the pitch cloaked in a Springbok jersey and shook hands with the captain of the South African team, two nations became one. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and director Cliff Bestall will tell the emotional story of that cornerstone moment and what it meant to South Africa’s healing process.

Air Times:

Tuesday, May 4th, 8pm. ESPN.
Tuesday, May 4, 11pm. ESPN 2.
Thursday, May 6th, 2 am. ESPN 2.
Thursday, May 6th, 11pm. ESPN Classic.

ESPN Film’s 30 for 30 series is an unprecedented documentary series featuring thirty films from some of today’s finest storytellers. Each filmmaker will bring their passion and personal point of view to their film detailing the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009.