The Captains

Through 115 eventful and passionate years, the Springbok rugby captain has represented many things to many South Africa. He has united, and he has divided. He has thrilled, he has disappointed. He has inspired, he has disheartened. He has triumphed, he has failed. But he has always, always had an impact. The author depicts the men who have been able to call themselves 'Springbok captain' through their backgrounds, their triumphs and their disappointments. Bennie Osler, Danie Craven, Hennie Muller, Johan Claassen, Dawie de Villiers, Hannes Marais, Morne du Plessis, Wynand Claassen, Naas Botha, Francois Pienaar, Gary Teichmann, Joost van der Westhuizen, Andre Vos, Bob Skinstad, Corne Krige, John Smit and the others; relive the heyday of these rugby legends, not only through their own eyewitness accounts, but through the recollections of the Lions, All Blacks and Wallaby captains who played against them. This story is about much more than rugby. It offers and epic historical perspective on this remarkable country, viewed through the prism of rugby.