Last weekend a divided society desperate for deliverance from its demons saw a glimpse of its possible future on the rugby field. The South African national team, the Springboks, outplayed an England side that had seemed assured of victory up to that point, and emerged breathless, bruised and proud as the 2019 Rugby World Champions. England seemed to have rediscovered the art of winning after a period in the rugger doldrums, but lost it again when confronted with the superior sporting talent of an even better team.

And the Springboks’ captain who lifted the cup before a cheering crowd in the Yokohama stadium, and who deserved all the credit that was heaped on him at home and abroad, was black. It was not just that he was good at rugby. He was a brilliant leader. And for South Africans of all colours to accept and admire him in that role was in itself a revolution.