The Springboks are not only facing lots of pressure to make history on the rugby field at the World Cup - they also have the responsibility of trying to lift the spirit of South Africans.
Political analyst Daniel Silke said South Africans need something to bring them together and that a successful World Cup campaign could do that.
"Sport plays a critical role in alleviating tensions in our society. If the rugby team is successful it will bring black and white together.
"This could go a long way towards bringing back the spirit of patriotism," Silke said.
But he warned that the euphoria would be short-lived.
The Boks, who lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in 1995 and 2007, could become the first team to successfully defend the title and win the tournament three times.
The tournament kicks off on Friday and the Boks play their first match, against Wales, on Sunday.
Sport psychologist Ben Steyn, of the University of Pretoria, said fans want to relive the "Mandela magic" of the 1995 victory.
"Sport is seen as the miracle instrument to bring people together. It has power, but it should not be overestimated."
Pretoria sports psychologist Greyling Viljoen said the team is too experienced to let the pressure of being defending champions detract from their play.
Centre Jaque Fourie said, before the team left for New Zealand, that the Boks are not the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy. - Additional reporting by Craig Ray
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