Hansie

After years of isolation from the international community, the end of apartheid heralded a new era of hope for all South Africans. The time was ripe for young leaders to stand up. One such leader was a young man from Bloemfontein. He seemed unflinching. Magnificent. This was his moment to shine.

Hansie Cronjé (Frank Rautenbach), soon became South Africa’s golden boy. As captain, he took his country’s cricket side from being seventh best in the world to the top.

He was destined for greatness. But his greatest battle was not on the field.

The news of his involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international sporting world. His unprecedented rise to glory was followed by a most horrific fall - made worse by the fact that he was an outspoken Christian.

<i>Hansie</i> explores the very human story of a man who, after losing everything for which he has worked, begins the painstaking journey back to choosing “life".

The journey is cathartic. We celebrate with him in his glorious victories on the cricket field, and we feel the agony of his dishonour - his weeping in the arms of his friend and mentor, Peter Pollock (David Sherwood). Amidst the darkness of his downfall, we are inspired by the power of his wife Bertha’s (Sarah Thompson) unswerving love, which shines like a beacon of hope.

<i>Hansie</i> is a movie that captivates with its drama, its action-packed sequences and its riveting match-fixing intrigue. But, above all, the movie will reassure you of the ability of us all to overcome life’s difficulties with grace and dignity.