Springboks captain Francois Pienaar receives the Rugby World Cup trophy from South African President Nelson Mandela. © Getty Images

The Fifa World Cup currently dominating the sporting agenda was always going to struggle to generate the same kind of emotion that was so evident when rugby's finest descended on South Africa in 1995 due in part to the strides that the nation has taken together in the last 15 years under the lasting influence of Nelson Mandela.

Unlike the Springboks, Bafana Bafana have never been a major force in their sport - a fact that was underlined by their failure to progress from the group stages making them the first host nation to exit at the first hurdle. Despite the home side's shortcomings, the tournament has already been heralded as a success and will no doubt still go on to leave a significant mark in history but with the vuvuzelas silenced to a certain degree and African interest hanging by a thread there is little chance that it will resonate like its rugby equivalent.

The big screen attempt to capture the enthralling story behind rugby's third global showpiece, the Clint Eastwood-helmed Invictus, was released to mixed reviews earlier this year while ESPN's own The 16th Man took a documentary approach to the role of the tournament in post-apartheid South Africa. But you can re-live the tournament itself in another recent DVD release - 1995 Rugby World Cup - The Full Story.

The 'one nation, one team' philosophy inspired by Mandela brought the country together and the Springboks responded by claiming an historic victory that not only delighted the Rainbow Nation but was also a key factor in the development of the tournament itself and its current status as the world's third biggest sporting event owes a lot to that magical month in 1995. History demands that Mandela, Pienaar and the joy of a nation re-born will always be the big story but there were many more memorable moments played out in its shadow.

The narration of Eddie Butler and a somewhat interesting soundtrack will take you through the following rollercoaster of a ride:

+ The greatest tragedy in World Cup history. Ivory Coast winger Max Brito broke his neck in his side's pool clash with Tonga and was paralysed and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. A sad reminder of how dangerous the game can be.

+ The emergence of Jonah Lomu as a star of the game. The giant Kiwi wing tore into Scotland, Ireland and most memorably England on his way to a tournament leading tally of 7 tries. "He touches the ball and things happen." exclaims one of many stunned commentators but he was shackled sufficiently by the Springboks in the Ellis Park finale.

+ A nasty-looking brawl between Canada and South Africa in the pool stages that saw suspensions handed down to amongst others the Canucks' Rod Snow and Gareth Rees and the Springboks' James Dalton with the latter crying in front of the cameras following the end of his World Cup dream.

+ Chester Williams returning from injury to take a starring role in the Springboks' run to the final - not just due to his skin colour but also his try-scoring feats including four against Samoa in the quarter-finals.

+ New Zealand racking up what was then the biggest win in Rugby World Cup history - a 145-17 mauling of Japan.

+ Several women with brooms desperately trying to sweep standing water from the Kings Park pitch in an effort to make the ground playable for the semi-final meeting between South Africa and France. It's questionable whether they succeeded but the game went ahead.

+ A final flourish from Scotland's Gavin Hastings in his last tournament before retiring. The dashing fullback racked up 44 points in one game against the Ivory Coast and 104 in total.

+ An outrageous drop goal from All Blacks No.8 Zinzan Brooke during his side's semi-final victory over England - his effort from almost half-way heaping woe on a side still reeling from the effects of a certain Mr Lomu.

+ A jumbo jet flying oh-so-low over Ellis Park in Johannesburg ahead of the final remains one of the sports' most dramatic experiences and images

+ And an un-named Japan lock head-butting a wall as part of his pre-match preparations ahead of facing the All Blacks.

Tragedy struck the Mandela family on the eve of this year's tournament and he was subsequently absent from the opening ceremony but we can only hope that the iconic former leader returns to centre stage for the final on July 11. The World Cup would not have been awarded to South Africa were it not for the great man and although there may not be the picture perfect moment as above - the adulation will have only intensified in the time that has lapsed since that day.