With the latest SA Rugby magazine now on sale, editor CRAIG LEWIS previews some of the top reads you can look forward to in our May edition.
New mag: Why our future is in good hands
In these times of lockdown, we’re thrilled to be able to offer the latest print issue of our magazine, which is on sale this week and offers some must-read content for any rugby fan.
Despite the absence of live rugby, we endeavoured to unpack the stories behind our rugby heroes, and the good news is that there is no shortage of compelling content.
As our cover reflects, despite an uncertain time in the game, the next generation of young stars offer a shining light for the future.
We exclusively chat to Aphelele Fassi,Wandisile Simelane, Sanele Nohamba, Jaco Coetzee and Joseph Dweba – five Test rookies who, we have reliably learned, remain firmly on the national radar, and could well earn call-ups to the Springboks once the international season rolls around.
I also recently had the chance to catch up with World Cup-winner Kwagga Smith, who was based in Japan as the coronavirus outbreak spread. He was one of the fortunate few able to make it back to South Africa before lockdown began and he also chats about his World Cup experience.
Meanwhile, the Sale Sharks has become an increasingly popular destination for South African players and, in an insightful feature, we chat to some of the Saffas abroad and unpack why the English club holds such appeal.
Of course, it was also our responsibility to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on the game, and we chat to a representative from each of the SA rugby franchises to find out how they are coping and planning for the future in these extraordinary times.
In an exclusive interview, Springbok stalwart Francois Louw reflects on an illustrious career, and explains what motivated him to bow out of the game on his terms.
Furthermore, in some of our feel-good features, the SA Rugby magazine team picks an all-time South African XV from the competition’s history, while we delve into the growth of emotive Xhosa commentary, which has provided a proudly South African feel-good factor to rugby broadcasts.
We also head to the family farm of the Du Toits and find out how it’s become a breeding ground for a group of talented young brothers led by World Cup-winner Pieter-Steph.
There’s another exclusive interview with Mzwandile Stick, who dissects his role in the Springbok set-up and how he has grown as a coach, and then the feature on Sharks scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba is another must-read article where you will find out where his sports talents were first spotted.
On a final note, I’d also implore you to get your hands on the mag to read the story of former Springbok AJ Venter, who opens up on his recovery from a devastating anxiety attack in a remarkably honest story that he hopes will help others.
There’s all this and much much more in this compelling issue. We hope you get your hands on a copy and enjoy the read.
– Craig Lewis
