Carlin's First Draft of History

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When the Rugby World Cup final was played in Johannesburg in 1995, John Carlin, author of the book on which the Hollywood blockbuster Invictus is based, was The Independent's South Africa correspondent. This is his extraordinary report - written the day after that momentous game

As an image of humanity's better angels, Nelson Mandela, the 76- year-old president with the little boy's smile, handing over the gold trophy to his hero, the big blond captain of the Springbok team, will be hard to beat. The world watches in despair the spectacles of Bosnia, Chechnya and Rwanda, reminders of the viciousness, folly and petty-mindedness to which the species is endlessly prey. But …