Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum (1930–1978) was a South African golfer who carved a niche for himself in golfing folklore when he became the first golfer of colour to win a provincial open in South Africa (in 1963). Sewgolum, a former caddie, with his wrong-way-round grip (left hand beneath his right), beat 103 white golfers in the Natal Open at the Durban Country Club. He became a symbol of the sports boycott movement when pictures of him receiving his trophy outdoors in the rain, because, due to apartheid, he was not allowed to enter the clubhouse, were published across the world.

In 1965 he beat Gary Player to win the Natal Open for the second time. He also won the Dutch Open in 1959, 1960 and 1964. However, the dream was to be cut short. At the peak of his career, Papwa was banned by the apartheid government from participating in or attending any PGA tournaments. Crushing him further, they also withdrew his passport, denying him the right to play internationally. This slowly broke his spirit, leaving him with nothing but a dream.

This is the story of one man who triumphed again unbelievable odds, only to have his dream snatched from him. Written as fiction, this is a uniquely South African story told by a master storyteller.

It is the world's oldest and most famous ultramarathon. South Africa's Comrades Marathon has teased, tormented and tortured runners from all over the world since 1921. Those who have endured it say it changes lives, speaks to the soul and turns the ordinary into extraordinary. According to many, it is liberating.

Bob de la Motte should know. Winner of five Comrades medals, including three golds, his grit and determination during several epic duels with nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce enthralled the world throughout what was arguably the marathon's defining passage in the politically charged 1980s.

In this extraordinary, compassionate, candid, humorous and captivating personal memoir, Bob explains his fascination and passion for the most famous ultramarathon in the world and recounts the truth behind the hyped-up rivalry. He explores allegations of cheating and blood doping, highlights the hypocrisy in South African and international sport and elaborates on his decision to join the Chicken Run to Australia. He also provides fascinating perspectives on international politics and business on four continents and gives a crystal ball insight into the future of the Comrades Marathon.

For runners, sportspeople, sports lovers and those who simply enjoy a damned good read, Runaway Comrade will inevitably be your best buy of the year!

When Mark Boucher played his first game of cricket for South Africa, a senior player took him aside and bluntly told him he was the worst wicketkeeper ever to play in the national side. Over a decade later, when Bouch finally retired with a plethora of records under his belt and to huge acclaim from the public, he took grim satisfaction in relating this piece of history.

Through My Eyes is the story of a man with remarkable sporting prowess. Born into a sports-mad family in East London, he excelled in squash, tennis and rugby before choosing cricket as his preferred sport. His extraordinary achievements on the field are well known - he was voted SA player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2006. What is not so well known, and makes up much of this book, are the behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes. Stories of staring down the barrel of defeat and of celebrating victory; of developing strong bonds with teammates Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and others that go way beyond mere friendship. What emerges is the image of a man who always fought for the underdog, whose never-say-die attitude inspires those around him.

Bouch's career was brought to a dramatic end on a cricket pitch in England when the bail of a stump punctured his left eye. But, in his own words, "I lost sight but gained vision".

True to his character of gritty determination, Bouch has rededicated his life to a new cause, that of the environment and particularly the critically endangered rhino.

Making Champions by Michael Jenkins is a journey into the histories, hearts and homes of some of South Africa’s greatest sporting heroes.

Featuring 14 icons of our time, including AB de Villiers, Ryan Sandes, ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Francois Hougaard, Bridgitte Hartley and Siyabonga Nomvethe, Making Champions explores the vastly varied journeys that have taken each of these stars to the very top of their game.

The real story of sporting success is often far more ordinary than we imagine. Every athlete featured in Making Champions was born with natural talent, but each individual has had to work and hone that talent in order to be the best. Making Champions is about getting to know our national heroes better, and sharing the moments that have moved them, shaped them and defined them.

It’s also about equipping and inspiring all South Africans to be champions in their own right, by shining a spotlight on the big difference-making factors that shaped these stories and can guide our own.

As the most capped Springbok ever, Victor Matfield is a national hero who transcends rugby provincialism and has fans across the world. His rugby exploits and achievements are numerous: he was an instrumental part of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he helped win two Tri Nations tournaments for the Boks, he has lifted the Super 14 trophy three times with the Bulls and he has enjoyed Currie Cup glory.

In his much-anticipated autobiography, he opens up about his life, from growing up as a shy boy in Pietersburg to moving to Pretoria, where he had to learn the hard way about dealing with the pleasures of life as a talented young rugby player. He talks frankly about his issues with coaches, including his mentor Heyneke Meyer and Jake White, who once tried to physically attack him. Victor also deals with Kamp Staaldraad and other controversies, the challenges rugby poses to his personal life and the sacrifices inherent in the life of a professional sportsman.

In this Rugby World Cup year, this is undoubtedly the one book every rugby fan will want to read.

Een Wêreldbeker, ’n reeks-oorwinning oor die Britse en Ierse Leeus, twee Drienasies-titels, drie Super Rugby-trofeë en drie Curriebekers… Dit is een man se buitengewone prestasies in ’n loopbaan wat oor 16 ongelooflike jare gestrek het. Sy naam is Victor Matfield, en hy is ’n internasionale en Suid-Afrikaanse sportlegende. Jy wíl sy storie lees…

Vanaf sy grootwordjare toe hy ’n skaam, sport-mal seuntjie in Pietersburg was totdat hy die kruin van sy sukses in sy rugbyloopbaan bereik het, het Victor as ’n professionele sportman op die harde manier geleer van die plesier wat die lewe bied sowel as die pynlike druk wat daarmee saam gaan. In hierdie outobiografie waarna daar met groot afwagting uitgesien is, vertel hy openhartig van sy verhoudings met sy afrigters, insluitend Heyneke Meyer, Jake White en Peter de Villiers, die sterk bande wat hy met sy spanmaats gesmee het by die Bulle en in die nasionale span, en sy diepgaande liefde en respek vir die Springbok-trui. Hy bespreek die strydige kwessies wat die Suid-Afrikaanse rugbytoneel geteister het in die tydgleuf waarbinne sy loopbaan geval het, die opgang in Blou Bul-rugby en hul tekortkominge ten opsigte van topvorm-kondisie tydens sy laaste rugbyseisoen, die Bokke se kontroversiële kwarteindstryd wat die einde van hul mededinging om die Rugbywêreldbeker in 2011 beteken het, sy uittrede uit rugby en veel, veel meer.

Victor: My Reis is ongetwyfeld die een boek wat elke rugbyliefhebber sál wil lees.

Wynie Strydom was jare lank ’n onmiddellik herkenbare figuur op die kantlyn van elke Blou Bullewedstryd, plaaslik en in die buiteland.

As die Blou Bulle se spanbestuurder het hy oor 17 veelbewoë jare heen die hoogte- en laagtepunte en die suksesse en mislukkings van sy gunstelingspan beleef. In hierdie boek vat Wynie Strydom en sy medeskrywer, Alita Steenkamp, die leser op sy lewenspad wat maar altyd met rugby vervleg was.

Dit is onontbeerlik vir alle rugbyliefhebbers, ongeag watter span hulle ondersteun.

The Detainees’ Parents Support Committee (DPSC) was started in 1981 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was set up by the parents, spouses and families of activists who were detained and had no recourse to legal intervention. Many in this movement had not been politically involved.

Members of the DPSC stood on street corners with placards calling for the release of their children. They organised food, clothing and legal representation for detainees across the country, and they supported the detainees’ families. DPSC activists marched, petitioned, argued, wrote and protested for the release of all detainees. They made public the brutal operations of the security establishment.

The DPSC helped to draw international attention to the atrocities being perpetuated against children – some as young as nine – by the apartheid state. And the evidence amassed by the DPSC helped to lay some of the groundwork for South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The Knock On The Door tells the story of the DPSC and of how the anti-detention movement became part of the mass uprising that brought down apartheid. It is an inspiring account of ordinary people coming together to stand up against racism and the abuse of power.

n Versameling stories oor rugby, die lewe en allerhande ander dinge wat jou sal laat lag, ontroer en opkikker, deur een van Suid-Afrika se ware rugbylegendes… Theuns Stofberg se glorieryke rugbyloopbaan het van 1976 tot 1985 geduur, en hy word in die algemeen beskou as een van die grootste Springbokke ooit. As die 36ste Springbokkaptein – een van slegs 56 spelers wat die eer kon he – was hy taai en kompromisloos op die veld, maar langs die kantlyn was hy ’n ware heer en uitstekende storieverteller – soos bewys word deur die anekdotes wat byeengebring is in hierdie boek. In Stories van die kantlyn neem hy lesers tot agter die skerms, na sy kinderdae as skoolseun-rugbyspeler, tot die berugte meelbom-toer in Nieu-Seeland in 1981, en ook sy Curriebeker-oorwinnings vir drie provinsies – tot vandag toe ’n ongeewenaarde prestasie. Hy skryf ook oor hoe dit was om saam met legendes soos Morne du Plessis, Gerrie Germishuys, Schalk Burger snr. en Gysie Pienaar te speel, hy roep bewonderaars se vreemde en dikwels fleurige gedrag in herinnering en gee lesers ’n fassinerende blik op die amateurdae van rugby in Suid-Afrika. Hy vertel in sy unieke, onnabootsbare styl van sy persoonlike stryd met ’n spraakgebrek en gesondheidsprobleme, en hoe hy ’n tragedie in die familie hanteer het. Elke Suid-Afrikaanse rugbyliefhebber sal hierdie boek, wat soms diep persoonlik, soms amusant en partymaal nostalgies is, koester en geniet.

Born in 1985 in Daveyton, Junior Khanye’s story cycles through themes of comedy, tragedy and triumph. His love for Kung Fu movies characterises his moxie for life - Ghetto Ninja. Kung Fu and dancing soon translated to undeniable skill on the soccer field.

Junior was scouted to Kaizer Chiefs aged just seventeen, where he soon became the darling of the nation with his goal scoring prowess. He shares how often he flirted with dangerous situations. Junior’s reputation as a troubled youth soon saw him kicked out of Kaizer Chiefs. From there he went through a tumultuous period cycling through phases of poverty and prosperity.

As Junior was at the brink of cementing his comeback and affirming his maturity, he suffered a great tragedy when a gang was sent to kill his family. His father was murdered that night. Junior was in the house but managed to escape the attack.

The soccer commentator and actor is living proof that one can come back from a state of darkness to achieve greatness.

Coach: The Life And Soccer Times Of Clive Barker is the insightful biography of Clive Barker, South Africa’s longest-serving national football coach and arguably the most successful following Bafana Bafana’s win in 1996 at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. With the help of writer Michael Marnewick, Barker reveals himself as a modest man, a dedicated husband and father, and a force to be reckoned with in the football fraternity, both in Mzansi and in the rest of the continent.

Coach examines Barker’s life from his pre-coaching days and how he avoided bankruptcy by driving taxis, to his early coaching jobs at amateur level, into the professional ranks with Durban City, then Bush Bucks, to AmaZulu and ultimately to the position as national coach. Delving back into his early pre-coaching days, the book gives the reader a glimpse of the man himself, while anecdotes from former players, at both club and international level, provide an in-depth but entertaining look into his coaching style and ability. In-between the book explores the politics of the time, including Clive’s opposition to apartheid; his take on witchcraft practices in local football; the success at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations; and the positive and powerful influence of Nelson Mandela, the national football team’s talisman.

Barker’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing and he had his detractors who felt he was too chummy with his players, who felt he was not technically savvy or tactical enough, or who disagreed with his relaxed but focused methods, which were proven over and again to yield results. What comes across so clearly in this book is the love and respect Barker had for his players and that they, in turn, had for him. He treated them as adults and they never faltered in their desire to please him, although Mark Fish may have crossed the line a few times.