For the second year running, Japanese marque Subaru was the official vehicle sponsor of the South African Sports Hall of Fame.
Like Subaru, the rugby legends bestowed with the honour of being inducted into the Hall Of Fame also left an indelible mark in their respective fields.
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, legendary rugby commentator Hugh Bladen and the entire 1995 Springbok squad were immortalised into the hearts and minds of all South Africans at an emotional induction ceremony taking place at Sun City.
Some of the most memorable moments of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final at Ellis Park were relived in the form of video clips, showing the gripping journey of the Springbok squad as they made their way into the captions of eternal glory.
Commemorated for his ‘Madiba Magic’, Mandela was inducted into the prestigious SA Sports Hall of Fame for the contribution he made to rugby as a sport and using it to glue a nation together. Granddaughter Ndileka Mandela received the award on his behalf.
The voice of South African rugby, Hugh Bladen was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for his 39-year contribution to the sport.
Defeating New Zealand in the final with a late drop-goal and a score of 15 – 12, the Springbok squad of 1995 were inducted 21 years later with winning captain, Francois Pienaar delivering an address on behalf of the team.
He not only credited Nelson Mandela for the magical inspiration he provided, but also the rest of the team and especially the fallen heroes of the 1995 squad for this historic win which changed the South African sporting landscape forever.
A permanent home of the SA Sports Hall Of Fame will be opened at Sun City during November 2016.
“The SA Sports Hall of Fame celebrates great achievements by extraordinary South Africans and this is exactly what this event did. The SA Sports Hall of Fame is eager to contribute to the legacy of SA Sport and also contribute to future hall of famers. We look forward to welcoming the South African public at the home of The SA Sports Hall of Fame at Sun City towards the end of the year.” said Eugene Lewis, CEO of The SA Sports Hall of Fame