New Springbok Legends Book Series Inspires SA Youth With Stories of Struggle and Triumph

Rugby Heroes and Real Life Lessons: A New Book Series Brings Springbok Legends to Life for SA’s Youth

There’s a new series on the shelves that every South African child should read — whether they dream of wearing the green and gold or simply want to believe in something bigger than themselves.

A six-book collection has just been released, telling the childhood stories of current Springbok legends including Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth. It’s not just a tribute to rugby, but a deeply human account of overcoming adversity, staying grounded, and believing in your worth even when the odds are stacked against you.

From Township Dreams to Test Match Glory

The book about Siya Kolisi is particularly moving. Born in Zwide near Gqeberha, Kolisi’s early years were marked by poverty, hunger, and sleeping on makeshift cushions as rats scurried nearby. But the captain who would go on to lift the World Cup started his journey with a rugby scholarship to Grey High — terrified because he didn’t speak English — and transformed fear into purpose.

Kolisi’s story, like the others in the collection, reminds readers that heroes are forged in the most humble beginnings. And they’re not just about trophies. They’re about transformation.

Words From the Man Behind the Magic

Throughout the series, there’s a powerful thread of respect for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, not only as a tactician but as a mentor. His words echo through the pages: “Work hard in silence and let success be your noise.” “How dare you not give your best when people pay good money to see you play?”

His approach — choosing the right players, not just the best ones — has helped shape a new generation of Springboks who are as emotionally intelligent as they are physically elite.

Childhood Memories, Cousins and Champions

The books are also filled with surprising moments that make the legends feel more relatable. Did you know that Olympic gold medallist Wayde van Niekerk is Kolbe’s cousin? The two would race each other as kids, playing rugby together before taking separate sporting paths. Kolbe joined the Blitzboks and won bronze in Rio 2016. Wayde grabbed gold — and the world record.

Etzebeth’s tale is another favourite: he started out playing wing in primary school and couldn’t even crack the A team in high school. So he trained, bulked up on eggs and tuna, and by matric was a 120kg lock — and a B-average student to boot.

Faf de Klerk’s path might be the most inspiring for kids who feel left out. He was never picked for provincial sides at school but refused to give up. Today, he’s a double World Cup winner with his name chanted across stadiums.

A Walk in his Grandfather’s Boots

Pieter-Steph du Toit’s connection to rugby runs deep. His grandfather, Piet “Spiere” du Toit, played for the Boks in the 1960s. Young Pieter-Steph found his old boots and wore them on the family farm until they fell apart.

“Instead of putting them on a shelf, we used them,” he says. “I believed I was walking in my grandfather’s footsteps.”

That belief, rooted in family legacy and faith, carried him all the way to the Springbok jersey.

More Than a Sports Book

While these 90-page paperbacks are aimed at youth, adults will find themselves turning the pages just as quickly. The stories are written in simple, accessible language but packed with heart. They tackle real-life obstacles — fear, poverty, rejection — and offer guidance on what it means to persevere, to lead, and to dream big even in the toughest conditions.

Many readers online have praised the books for being authentic and tear-jerking. “My son couldn’t put it down,” wrote one parent on Facebook. “And I had a lump in my throat reading it with him.”

The series has already been spotted in leading bookstores and is quickly gaining traction as a must-have for school libraries, community reading clubs, and proudly South African bookshelves.

If you’re raising a future Bok, a passionate reader, or a child looking for hope, these books are a worthy investment. Because sometimes, all it takes is one story — about eggs, old boots, or a dream shouted into an empty stadium — to change a young life forever.

Source:IOL

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