In one of the earlier scenes of Invictus, a black South African boy is seen shaking his head fervently when offered a South African Rugby Union jersey from a charity worker handing out clothes. She presumes his refusal was because of the Springboks poor record; but when she inquires to her co-worker, she explains that to the black people of South Africa, the Springboks still represent the legacy of apartheid.
Set in 1995, just one year following the election of the African National Congress, the film tells the story of Nelson Mandela (played magnificently by Morgan Freeman) in his first years of office and his efforts to unite a divided nation of resentful blacks and fearful whites under the banner of sport.
The film depicts the frustrations of the newly appointed black-dominated government, particularly by the Sports Committee who call for a vote to dismantle the Springboks, as they see the team as a symbol of white hegemony. However, recognizing that the Springboks are revered by the whites, and not wanting to fan the flames of racial tension, Mandela persuades the committee to keep the team.
We then learn that the Rugby World Cup is to be hosted in South Africa and will be the first major sporting event to take place since the end of apartheid. We also learn of the Springboks dismal record leading up to the event, with one commentator noting that they are fortunate that the host nation qualifies automatically, otherwise it is unlikely they would have even made it in.
However, thanks to the leadership of the team’s captain François Pienaar, played by Matt Damon and the media campaign led by Mandela under the slogan “one team, one nation,” the Springboks start winning. After the preliminaries they defeat Western Samoa in the quarterfinals, and then France in the semi-finals; and South Africans of all colors take notice. Even Mandela’s security guards, comprised equally of black and white officers, who a shortly time ago were at opposing sides of a bitter conflict, are seen jovially tossing the ball around together. As Mandela sees this, he notes to his presidential advisor, “Still think I am wasting my time with the rugby?”
We then learn that the Springboks are set to play the All-Blacks in the final. Now, even for those who have never watched a full rugby match, it is likely that they have heard of the New Zealand All-Blacks, who have held the number one international rugby ranking longer than all other teams combined. However, their dominance on the field is not the only reason they command notoriety, for they are infamous for their pregame war cry, the “Ka Mete.”
The film produces an adequate portrayal of the intimidating effect of the “Ka Mete”, though I suggest looking up the original footage on YouTube, where one can see the actual facial expression of the South Africans. Though they present rugged exteriors, the South African’s eyes betray a growing sense of trepidation as this menacing ritualistic war-dance is performed before them, and one cannot help but sympathize upon learning that the chant’s chorus “Ka ora', Ka ora',” “Ka Mate, Ka Mate,” translated into English is, “We live, We live”, “You die, You die.”
Mandela and the New Zealand Prime Minister then make a friendly wager with the latter facetiously offering all their sheep for all of the former’s gold, to which Mandela respectfully declines in favour of a case of wine. Then, the match begins.
After we see the teams exchange score after score, the film cuts to outside the stadium where the young black boy who earlier refused to wear the Springbok jersey walks past two police officials propped up against their vehicle listening to the game. Eagerly hoping to listen in as well, he crouches near the front of the vehicle with the pretense of searching his bag, and although he is shooed away by the officers, he does not leave.
The film then cuts back to game where teams are neck and neck, literally, as they lock into a scrum, fighting for possession of the ball. After another series of exchanges, the whistle blows to signify the end of regulation time with the score split at 12 a side.
As overtime play commences, we see that the young black boy is now sitting on the hood of the car along listening along side the officials, and the broadcast emanating from affluent homes in the suburbs, to the inner city pubs, to the shantytowns nestled along the outskirts of the capital.
After a missed drop goal attempt by the All Blacks, the Springboks are shown returning the ball down the field in a sweeping succession of carries, then the ball is passed out to the fly-half, who, with a flourish of his foot, sends the ball soaring through the uprights to put the Springboks ahead 15-12. Shortly thereafter the referee raises his arm to signify that game is over. The multi-colored stadium erupts in cheers, while in the pubs blacks and whites joyfully embrace each other, and the young black boy is shown in elation being hoisted into the air by the white officers.