Heyneke Meyer

Heyneke Meyer
Author: Marco Botha
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2014-10-01
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1868426602

Brilliant advice and insights from Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. This ebook is drawn from Marco Botha's recently published book Coach. At 34, Heyneke Meyer was fired as head coach of a Super Rugby team for the second time. But when on 19 May 2007 his Bulls side became the first South African team to capture the Super title, the dark years at Loftus Versfeld were suddenly forgotten. And Meyer was regarded as the coach among coaches. Because it is there - on the playing field - that coaches and players are judged. And yet the scoreboard never tells the full story of how people achieved success 'overnight'. In Meyer's case it was an arduous journey of more than seven years during which he defined and changed professional rugby. This is leadership. And leadership is what Heyneke Meyer is about - someone who has fundamentally changed a sport, an industry, a way of thinking, and, ultimately, lives. Marco Botha, specialist reporter at Die Burger in Cape Town, sat in conversation with Heyneke Meyer and interpreted his success story in his engrossing narrative writing style.

Touch, Pause, Engage!

Touch, Pause, Engage!
Author: Liz Mcgregor
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2011-08-29
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1868424464

South Africa is a land of contrasts, as the tourist brochures promise, and this is true for the game of rugby. From the Pretoria heartland to the aspirant Eastern Cape, from the hardscrabble Cape Flats to the islands of privilege at Bishops and Grey College. No other rugby-playing nation has to grapple with so much diversity. Different languages, classes, races and cultures - each bearing the wounds of the country's fractured past - have to be melded into winning teams. Liz McGregor has spent the past three years shadowing Currie Cup, Super 14 and Springbok teams across the country, and has come to the conclusion that it is this very diversity, combined with the pain of the past and the dreams of a great united future, that provide the elusive alchemy that separates a good team from a great one. Touch, Pause, Engage! is more than a book about rugby. It is an intimate look at how South Africa's erstwhile elite is adapting to its new circumstances. Team South Africa has been through many a maul and bruising scrum, but is inching closer and closer to the tryline. Liz McGregor is a veteran author and journalist who started off her career on leading South African newspapers and subsequently moved to Britain where she worked for the Guardian for several years. Her first book, Khabzela: The Life and Times of a South African, laid bare the complex reasoning behind a DJ's refusal to take medication to stave off AIDS. She has co-edited and contributed to two collections of essays: At Risk and Load-shedding.

The Springbok Captains

The Springbok Captains
Author: Edward Griffiths
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2015-11-16
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1868426718

For more than a century, the Springbok captain has represented the pinnacle of rugby achievement in South Africa. In this revealing narrative, Edward Griffiths and Stephen Nell tell the stories of the elite group of men who have been able to call themselves 'Springbok captain', exploring their backgrounds, their triumphs and their disappointments. The Springbok Captains offers an epic historical perspective on this remarkable country, viewed through the prism of rugby. Compelling and emotional, the book brings the story of the Springbok captains right up to date. Relive the heyday of legends such as Bennie Osler, Danie Craven, Hennie Muller, Johan Claassen, Naas Botha, François Pienaar, Gary Teichmann, Joost van der Westhuizen, Andre Vos and others. This revised and updated third edition includes up-to-date accounts of the careers of Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers, as well as the story of the Springboks' 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Rugby World Cup 101

Rugby World Cup 101
Author: Peter Burns
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2019-06-13
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 178885179X

Rugby World Cup 101 is a compendium of fascinating facts, stats, stories, personalities and trivia – perfect for all fans of rugby from around the world. From the genesis of the tournament in 1987 all the way through to the present day, the Rugby World Cup's rich history is distilled into 101 facts, stats and stories. This entertaining volume is an instructive, if sometimes irreverent – but always affectionate – guide to some of the groundbreaking firsts, controversies, innovations, characters, achievements and disasters that have taken place in rugby's marquee event. Whether an expert or a novice, this is the perfect companion for rugby lovers around the world.

Die Baan-Brekers

Die Baan-Brekers
Author: Marco Botha
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Total Pages: 423
Release: 2014-04-02
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1868424197

Hoe Suid-Afrikaanse Sportleiers Kampioene Slyp. Heyneke Meyer was 34 jaar oud toe hy vir die tweede keer as die hoofafrigter van 'n Superrugby-span afgedank is. Maar toe sy Bulls-span op 19 Mei 2007 die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse span word om die Super-titel te wen, was die donker jare op Loftus Versfeld skielik vergete en Meyer oornag almal se breier sonder gelyke'. Want dis net daar - op die speelveld - dat afrigters en spelers beoordeel word. En tog vertel die telbord nooit die volle verhaal van hoe mense oornag' sukses behaal het nie. Vir Meyer was dit 'n strawwe reis van meer as 7 jaar - 'n tydperk waarin hy beroepsrugby gedefinieer en verander het. En dit is leierskap. En leierskap is waaroor Die Baanbrekers gaan - mense wat 'n sportsoort, 'n bedryf of 'n manier van dink en uiteindelik daardeur ook lewens onherroeplik verander het. Marco Botha het met van Suid-Afrika se vernaamste sportleiers gesels en hy ontleed hier hul uiteenlopende suksesverhale. Van Meyer tot Brendan Venter, wat van Saracens 'n superklub en in 2013 van die Haaie die Curriebeker-kampioen gehelp maak het deur 'n kultuur te vestig waar gelukkige mense belangriker as silwerware geag word. Ook die voormalige Springbok-sewesafrigter Paul Treu het die blitskode as 'n wêreldsport bevorder deur sy span gereeld met innovasie op innovasie bo oënskynlik baie beter spanne te laat uittroon. Gary Kirsten en Paddy Upton het die Indiese en daarna die Suid-Afrikaanse krieketspan na wêreldoorheersing gelei met 'n leierskapstyl wat spelers bemagtig en as mense ontwikkel het - die nuwe skool' van afrigting. Hierdie merkwaardige leiers het van gewone mense kampioene gemaak. En die redes daarvoor gaan jou beslis verras . . .

The Springbok Coaches

The Springbok Coaches
Author: Gavin Rich
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Total Pages: 504
Release: 2016-07-12
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1776090594

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 Poisoned Chalice

The Poisoned Chalice
Author: Gavin Rich
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Total Pages: 291
Release: 2013-10-10
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1770225668

The Springboks have had several post-isolation coaches, and if they agree on nothing else, they will concur that everyone in the job suffers enormous pressure. Unlike coaches from other rugby-playing countries, they also face many obstacles outside of the game, such as South Africa’s complicated politics and the often unrealistic expectations of both the public and the media. It has been called a poisoned chalice, and everyone, from the first post-isolation coach, John Williams, to the incumbent, Heyneke Meyer, can attest to its veracity. Now, for the first time, their journeys are recorded in one book, and as part of one story. The Poisoned Chalice takes an in-depth look at each of the coaches in the post-apartheid years, and at the same time examines how the role has evolved over the past two decades. From the triumphs to the controversies, the boardroom to the rugby field, this book reveals exactly what it takes to be the Bok coach, and why each and every one of them, at some time or another in the toughest job in South African sport, lost it. A riveting, often revelatory and definitely controversial read!

Coach

Coach
Author: Marco Botha
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Total Pages: 442
Release: 2014-05-21
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1868423743

At 34, Heyneke Meyer was fired as head coach of a Super Rugby team for the second time. But when on 19 May 2007 his Bulls side became the first South African team to capture the Super title, the dark years at Loftus Versfeld were suddenly forgotten. And Meyer was regarded as the coach among coaches. Because it is there - on the playing field - that coaches and players are judged. And yet the scoreboard never tells the full story of how people achieved success overnight'. In Meyer's case it was an arduous journey of more than seven years during which he defined and changed professional rugby. This is leadership. And leadership is what Coach is about - people who have fundamentally changed a sport, an industry, a way of thinking, and, ultimately, lives. Marco Botha sat in conversation with some of South Africa's foremost sports leaders and interprets their diverse success stories in his narrative writing style. From Meyer to Brendan Venter, who helped turn Saracens into a super club and the Sharks into the 2013 Currie Cup champions. As an international hockey player, Sherylle Calder noticed something special' about her own visual abilities and researched this together with Professor Tim Noakes. The Eye Lady' was instrumental in England (2003) and South Africa (2007) winning the Rugby World Cup and Ernie Els bagging his second British Open golf title in 2012. Former Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu advanced rugby sevens as a world sport by regularly getting his team to tower above seemingly superior sides. One innovation at a time. Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton guided the Indian national cricket team to glory with a leadership style that empowered players and developed them as human beings - the new school' of coaching. With the same approach they helped the Proteas become the number one team in the world in all three formats of the game. These remarkable leaders have made champions out of ordinary people. And the reasons for this will certainly surprise you . . .

Rassie

Rassie
Author: Rassie Erasmus
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Total Pages: 408
Release: 2023-08-31
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1035029421

'He is rugby's Pep Guardiola' – The Telegraph Rassie Erasmus has been called a genius. He’s been called reckless. All his life, he’s done things differently. Now, with his trademark candour, Rassie talks openly about his adventures and misadventures at the pinnacle of world rugby, both as player and coach. From his role in Nick Mallett's record-breaking Springbok team of the late 1990s, to the devastating injuries that cut short his playing career, to his revolutionary coaching career, Rassie is an essential window into one of the most successful figures of modern rugby. When his teammates relaxed, Rassie preferred to watch hours of video and devise winning strategies. His coaching methods were initially laughed off – before being eagerly adopted when their success proved undeniable. He fought the rugby establishment at the Stormers, and later earned the grudging respect of Irish fans at Munster. Most crucially, Rassie talks about his greatest contribution to South African rugby: appointing its first black captain, Siya Kolisi, without much fanfare or controversy. As his bold plans for effective racial transformation of the national team achieved immediate success, they culminated in glory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Here, that monumental period is recounted in vivid, insightful detail. Entertaining and eye-opening, Rassie is full of behind-the-scenes revelations, telling the story of a towering figure in world rugby.

The Number 10s

The Number 10s
Author: Chris Schoeman
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2011-03-28
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1770201483

Throughout the history of rugby, it has been the flyhalves who have gripped the imagination of rugby supporters the most. Arguably the most crucial position on the rugby field, a flyhalf can almost single-handedly win a game for his team (remember Naas Botha’s 1987 Currie Cup final, and Joel Stransky’s drop kick in the 1995 World Cup final?). South Africa has produced some of the most famous flyhalves in international rugby, and The Number 10s covers their and other remarkable players’ stories. From an older era, there are Bennie Osler, Tony Harris, Hansie Brewis (who never lost a Test), Keith Oxlee and Naas Botha; and, more recently, Henry Honiball, Joel Stransky and Morné Steyn. The Number 10s also relives several of the magic moments of rugby’s generals, such as the brilliance of Bennie Osler (1928), Tony Harris (1937) and Naas Botha (1981) versus the All Blacks; Jannie de Beer versus England at the 1999 World Cup; and Derick Hougaard in the 2002 Currie Cup final. A fascinating and informative read for rugby fans of all ages.