Matt Damon lands Pienaar role

The moment that made a nation: François Pienaar and Nelson Mandela with the 1995 World Cup

A film of South Africa's victorious 1995 Rugby World Cup campaign is being made, with Morgan Freeman playing the role of Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon taking on the role of South Africa captain François Pienaar.

The film is based on a book by British journalist Jon Carlin entitled: 'Play the Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation', and will be directed by Clint Eastwood.

Damon has played rugby in films before - most recently in the film 'The Departed' where he was a part of a police college rugby side in a few scenes.

Freeman, who thought Damon would be the right choice and who had the idea for the film, entitled "The Human Factor", has previously described the Mandela role as the role of his life.

Pienaar, who later moved on to play and coach Saracens in London, has told South African newspapers that his wife was "pleased" at the choice of Damon to play him.

Filming will start next year.