Our Blood is Green
Our Blood is Green

Author: Gavin Rich

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Published: 2020-10-15

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 1788851862

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The leaping Springbok on the green jersey of South Africa is one of the most iconic emblems in world rugby. At the same time, no symbol in world sport has ever done so much to divide – and then unite – a nation. Respected by opponents and supported passionately by South Africans, the Springboks have been a powerhouse rugby nation for over a century, yet the emblem that now sits alongside the Protea on the chests of the players was once a symbol of violent oppression in apartheid South Africa, the epitome of the white man's dominance over people of colour in the Republic. Told in the words of Springboks past and present, Our Blood is Green explores what it means to play for South Africa – from schoolboy dreams to the sacrifices required to make it to the very top – as well as the myriad difficulties the players have faced over the years, from the horrors of apartheid through to the emerging rainbow nation in the 1990s and the multi-cultural World Cup-winning team of today. It is a fascinating, powerful and poignant read that explores the unity of a brotherhood that fights to transcend race, culture and class while simultaneously striving to become the best team on the planet. Our Blood is Green examines what it truly means to be a Springbok and it is told the only way it can be – by the players themselves.

The Springbok Handbook
The Springbok Handbook

Author: Eddie Grieb

Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers

Published: 2011-08-22

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 186842457X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This fact-filled handbook will: • Give you information on all past Rugby World Cup encounters • Amaze your mates with Springbok statistics past and present • Provide you with hours of entertaining reading • Help the Bokke win the next World Cup! Okay, the last point might be an exaggeration. But The Springbok Handbook does contain everything there is to know about our team, from the very first match played in 1891 to the present. It's all here, everything you wanted to know about the 'Bokke' - including a special section on the World Cup.

Rise: The Brand New Autobiography
Rise: The Brand New Autobiography

Author: Siya Kolisi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2021-10-04

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 0008431353

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

‘Siya's rise from humble beginnings to lifting that World Cup trophy is the stuff of fairytales.’ MARCUS RASHFORD ‘Siya Kolisi is a warrior on the field and an inspiration off it. This book is an extraordinary reminder of what can be achieved with inner belief and an indefatigable spirit.’ JAY SHETTY

Springbok Rugby Uncovered
Springbok Rugby Uncovered

Author: Mark Keohane

Publisher: Zebra

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 9781868729173

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The years between 2000 and 2003 have been among the most turbulent in the history of Springbok rugby.

The Springbok Coaches
The Springbok Coaches

Author: Gavin Rich

Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

Published: 2016-07-12

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 1776090594

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Was coach Heyneke Meyer the reason why the Springboks failed at the 2015 Rugby World Cup? And what does the future have in store for the incumbent coach, Allister Coetzee? Find these answers, and many others, in The Springbok Coaches. In this new, updated edition of The Poisoned Chalice, rugby writer Gavin Rich takes us past the disappointment of the 2015 Rugby World Cup right up to the appointment of Allister Coetzee in April 2016, and dissects not only the successes and failures of these two Springbok coaches, but of all the post-isolation coaches who preceded them. If all of them agree on one thing, it is that the job goes hand in hand with tremendous pressure and that, at some point, they all buckled under the strain. This book reveals why André Markgraaff and Rudolf Straeuli came up with some of their weird and controversial decisions, why Nick Mallett dropped Gary Teichmann and how he regrets it now, why Harry Viljoen really quit, and why the pressures on Heyneke Meyer made it so much more difficult for the Springboks to win the 2015 Rugby World Cup. This book chronicles all the post-isolation coaches’ experiences via interviews, articles and stats. From the triumphs to the controversies, the boardroom to the rugby field, The Springbok Coaches will reveal exactly what it takes to be the Bok coach, and why each and every one of them had, at some time or another in the toughest job in South African sport, lost it. A riveting, often revelatory and definitely controversial read!

The Extraordinary Book of South African Rugby
The Extraordinary Book of South African Rugby

Author: Wim van der Berg

Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

Published: 2012-09-28

Total Pages: 113

ISBN-13: 014352917X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Extraordinary Book of South African Rugby will hook any rugby fanatic. Packed with facts, stats, quotes and anecdotes, from the comical to the controversial, this collection celebrates the rich history of South African rugby. This extraordinary book will run fans through the most enthralling stories to come out of South African rugby, including: How Manie Reyneke was late for his wedding reception after playing a club semi-final; the 90-metre penalty by Oostelikes; how the first Springboks to travel by plane limped over the ocean on three engines; how Kimberley travelled 60 hours by mule wagon on their first tour to Cape Town; how Springbok Andy MacDonald killed a lion with his bare hands; the spectator tackle that cost Western Province the Currie Cup; Paul Roos' weekly 260 km cycle to Pretoria to play club rugby.

Springbok Rugby Quiz
Springbok Rugby Quiz

Author: Pierre Francois Massyn

Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

Published: 2015-11-01

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1770229906

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Which Springbok match saw the least number of spectators ever attending a test match? Who was the unofficial arm-wrestling champion in the Springbok side on the 1981 tour to New Zealand? Which Springbok lock played with a glass eye? Welcome to the ultimate rugby quiz book for real rugby fans! Springbok Rugby Quiz examines the lore of rugby in an unusually entertaining way: it comprises 1001 questions and answers. Rugby lovers can now enjoy some of the most outlandish anecdotes, as well as cold, hard facts and statistics, about this game we all love. This well-researched book covers the entire spectrum of our rugby history, from the first test match in 1891, up to modern times. The book has two sections: test yourself by reading the question in the first part and then cross-check your answer in the second part. Rugby fans will certainly find more than enough challenges among the 1001 questions included here. And, as a bonus, the author also includes his Dream Team – the best players of all time united in one super team. Fun, informative and factual, this is a must-read for all rugby fans.