The Fireside Springbok

When the Springboks smashed the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town in 2021 to celebrate their emergence from Covid-19 lockdown, it was exactly 130 years since they had played their first match, also against the British Lions.

There has never been a dull moment in between as the Boks have taken South Africans on a roller coaster ride of success and setback but, more importantly, there has always been rich entertainment.

Springbok history boasts a treasure trove of tales about colourful characters and riveting dramas and seasoned rugby scribe Mike Greenaway has brought a host of them back to life in his meticulously researched book.

The Fireside Springbok is a hardcover coffee table book. Richly illustrated, there are cartoons by the much-loved Dr Jack while rare black-and-white photographs capture the mood of the historical chapters and award-winning photographers supplement the modern inclusions.