Clint Eastwood directs this drama based on events that took place during the first term of Nelson Mandela's presidency of South Africa.

In an effort to help unite his racially and economically divided country in the wake of the apartheid system, the newly-elected Mandela joins forces with Francois Pienaar, captain of South Africa's rugby team The Springboks.

Convinced that he can use the universal language of sport to help bring his people together, Mandela rallies the team as it makes its historic run in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship.