SA shot flick will soon be out
Chester Williams, who played wing in the team - then captained by Pienaar - which won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, has to get Damon to master the sport before shooting on the film, The Human Factor, starts next week.
The film, directed by Hollywood veteran Clint Eastwood, concerns the Springboks' historic win. It also stars actor Morgan Freeman as former President Nelson Mandela.
Although he would not reveal much, Williams did say that training Damon has "been easy".
"I have been very fortunate to be training such a professional person in the game such as Matt Damon. He has a yearning to learn how to play, and has a clear understanding of the importance of the game as well," he said.
Williams has had just under a month to train the Bourne Identity star at the Gardens Rugby Club in Cape Town.
Damon, however, is not that new to the game as he also played a flank - Pienaar's position - in the opening sequence of the 2006 film, The Departed.
Rugby has not left Damon unscathed, however, as he has already sprained his ankle on the practice field. But that did not deter him from riding the Argus Cycle Tour last weekend on a tandem with his brother, Kyle.
Despite the injury, Williams said the star's training was continuing as scheduled. He also had some "final touch ups" for the big screen rugby team as some of them were still having difficulty grasping some of the sport's techniques.
"It's been an honour and a privilege for me to be part of such a great film that will show how Madiba and the game managed to make such an impact on the country. It's been a great time for me," Williams said.- TIMES LIVE
ABOUT THE FILM:
The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match. Written by alfiehitchie
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