President Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) attempts to reconcile South Africa's racial groups after apartheid. Recognizing the importance of the rugby World Cup to South Africa's powerful white minority, Mandela works with the South African national team's captain, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) to improve the team and inspire South Africans to rally behind the team. This decision is met with some controversy amongst Mandela's staff, as he is also meant to be tackling South Africa's huge domestic challenges, such as rising crime, high black unemployment, and the effects of international sanctions on the South African economy.