Rassie Erasmus, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Makazole Mapimpi are on the cover of the latest SA Rugby magazine. Don’t miss out on our special awards issue, on sale now.
As we look back on 2019, there is so much to celebrate from a Springbok perspective.
An inspirational World Cup triumph was followed by several World Rugby awards going to key roleplayers who helped the Boks achieve Rugby Championship success and then glory in Japan.
Powerful flank Pieter-Steph du Toit walked away with the World Rugby Player of the Year prize and in this special awards issue we document his journey to the realms of Bok royalty.
Our chief writer, Jon Cardinelli, highlights how Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi took the national side from the depths of despair to the summit of the world game. The inspirational coach and captain are our Men of the Year.
SA Rugby magazine also hands out accolades to Breakthrough Player of the Year Herschel Jantjies and Makazole Mapimpi, who has proved to be the most-improved player over a stunning season.
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Mapimpi is one of the stars who hails from the Eastern Cape and we take a closer look at how SA Rugby can further tap into this much-spoken-of hotbed of talent.
Look out for our interview with Welshman Aled Walters, the Boks’ head of athletic performance, who gives fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes work on the team’s World Cup journey, while we also pick some of the best images from the memorable post-tournament trophy tour across South Africa.
Then, at the start of a new World Rugby Sevens Series season, senior writer Mariette Adams chats to coach Neil Powell, who hopes to lead the Blitzboks back to No 1.
Last, but certainly not least, SA Rugby magazine pays tribute to the legendary former Bok prop Beast Mtawarira, who capped a remarkable Test career with a performance for the ages in the World Cup final.
There is all this and much, much more in the latest edition. Enjoy the read, and Happy New Year.
Craig Lewis
