‘Sport has the power to change the world’

He emerged into bright winter sunshine, stepped onto the lush field, and pulled on a cap.

His long-sleeve green rugby jersey was untucked and buttoned right up to the top, a style all his own. On the back, a gold No 6, big and bold.

Within seconds, the chants went up from the fans packed into Ellis Park stadium in the heart of Johannesburg: “Nelson! Nelson! Nelson!”