The Springboks and the Holy Grail: Behind the scenes at the Rugby World Cup, 1995-2007 - Softcover

"The Springboks and the Holy Grail" is the epic story of South Africa's amazing quests for the Rugby World Cup, written by a man who not only experienced all four campaigns, but had a ringside seat at the incredible events and off-the-field dramas that unfolded at each tournament. From the triumphs of Ellis Park in 1995 and Paris in 2007 to the heartbreak of 1999 and the shame of 2003, renowned journalist Dan Retief faithfully recorded the stories of human heroism and frailty, of great dignity and patent jealousy that transcended the realm of sport. Writing for the "Sunday Times" and "SuperSport", he was one of an elite few who were privy to the secrets and machinations of South African rugby's inner sanctum. "The Springboks and the Holy Grail" provides fascinating insight into an event that is now one of the biggest in the world of sport, and contains numerous interviews with key players and administrators, as well as well-known figures who were touched by these campaigns. A candid glimpse behind the scenes, this compelling saga often reads like pure fiction. This is the first book to focus on the Rugby World Cup tournaments from a Springbok perspective, and it is perfectly timed to come out ahead of the seventh RWC tournament, to be held in New Zealand in September and October 2011. The Springboks will travel to New Zealand as the defending champions with a chance to become not only the first team to successfully defend the Webb Ellis Cup, but the first to win it three times. It lifts the lid on the intrigues around the Springboks, the rugby community and the media in a forthright and honest way. The final chapter provides an interesting discussion on the many similarities and qualities common to the teams who have won the cup. Will be a key work of reference, as it contains a record of all the Springboks' RWC matches and their opponents, statistics and records. It is written by arguably South Africa's most senior and respected rugby writer. It includes 16 pages of photographs.

Dan Retief has established himself as one of South Africa's pre-eminent sports journalists in a career that has spanned more than 40 years. A multiple award winner, he has covered numerous Test matches in South Africa and on tours, reported on all four Rugby World Cups in which the country has competed, and was in touch with the team virtually every day as they marched to victory in 1995 and 2007. He is the author of former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen's controversial autobiography and record of the 1981 'flour-bomb tour', More Than Just Rugby, and was part of the team that produced SuperSport's acclaimed Springbok Saga series.