At the suggestion of coach Alastair Clarkson, the Hawks players this week watched Mandela, a film on the political leader's inspiring life story, in preparation for their South African training camp.
Mandela led the fight against apartheid in South Africa, spending 27 years in prison before being elected the nation's president at a landmark all-race election in 1994.
Birchall said the film had given the Hawks some insight in Mandela's personal struggles and achievements.
"It was a pretty moving sort of film and (we're) looking forward to learning a little bit more once we get over there," Birchall said.
Birchall sensed the Hawks would visit South Africa at a seminal moment in the country's history, following the announcement on Friday morning that Mandela had died at 95.
"It's going to be interesting scenes over there," Birchall said.
Twitter: @AFL_Nick
