Lions in SA
Lions tour captured in a book
2009-07-16 22:16
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Boks win Lions Test series (Gallo)
Johannesburg - The British are Irish Lions are back but this time it's to celebrate the Springboks' series victory in a commemorative book of the tour with exclusive insights from Springbok captain John Smit.
"Mauled", SA Rugby's official book of the South Africa 2009 Lions Series and the Springboks' first series victory over the Men in Red since 1980, goes on sale on July 21.
The book – produced by Tenfour Media and the Publishing Partnership – is a stylish, hard cover title, rich in pictures that will give rugby fans the opportunity to relive the Lions Tour – from the opening game against the Royal XV through to the magnificent Test Series.
Large parts of "Mauled" come straight from Springbok captain John Smit, who gives readers great insight as to how the Test Series was won. Smit describes in his own words the emotions, pain, suffering and joy the Springboks endured as they fought to erase the memory of losing the Lions Series in 1997.
"The first two Tests were probably as close to warfare short of joining the army, and both teams approached the matches in that way. Thanks to two uncompromising outlooks there were always going to be serious skirmishes along the way," recalls Smit.
"We do tough things to each other in this game. But the beauty is that we can swap jerseys and have a drink together afterward."
Apart from Smit's insights, former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad gives the ten reasons why he thinks South Africa won the Test Series, which includes Brian O'Driscoll saving the Springboks with a thumping tackle on Danie Rossouw late in the second Test at Loftus Versfeld.
Morné du Plessis, who captained the Boks in 1980 when they beat the British and Irish Lions by 3-1 in the Test series, wrote the foreword, giving insight into exactly how big a Lions tour is.
The book also features contributions from well-known South African journalists such as Craig Ray, Rob Houwing, Mike Greenaway and Duane Heath to recapture the excitement and drama of the Series.
"Mauled" will be available at all leading bookshops and news agents from Tuesday, July 21. It can also be ordered by sending an e-mail to mauled@tppsa.co.za. The cover price is R195.