Rugby Sport

Rugby — played in two main variants (union: 15 players per side, 80 minutes; league: 13 players, different rules) — was reportedly invented when William Webb Ellis at Rugby School (England) picked up the football and ran with it in 1823. It spread through British schools and universities, then via the British Empire to New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and France — where it became deeply embedded in national identity. New Zealand's All Blacks are the most successful sports team in the world by win percentage (77%+) — their pre-match haka (a Māori war dance) is the most powerful ritual in sport. The Rugby World Cup (since 1987) is the third-largest sporting event after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup. South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup victory — with Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar in a Springbok jersey — is one of sport's greatest political moments.