A soccer fan wearing a hat with portraits of former president Nelson Mandela, sings and dances in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. South Africa is readying itself for the arrival of a flood of world leaders for the memorial service and funeral of Nelson Mandela as thousands of mourners continued to flock to sites around the country Saturday to pay homage to the freedom struggle icon. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
December 07, 2013 - 8:56 AM
South Africa's rugby sevens team huddled in the middle of the stadium named after Nelson Mandela, raised their hands to the skies and then won their game Saturday.
Mourning the loss of the former president, South Africa has decided sport will go on to celebrate the leader's inspiring legacy.
At Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, South African players wore black armbands across an image of the country's multicoloured flag. The hosts beat Canada 24-7 in their opening game of rugby's World Sevens Series event in Port Elizabeth, in Mandela's home province.
Cricket and football have also said national and international fixtures will go ahead this weekend with tributes, moments of silence and players wearing armbands.
Mandela died Thursday and will be buried near his rural South African home on Dec. 15.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013