The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle tournament for players, coaches and fans alike.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has analysed and debated rugby for over 30 years. Known for his brilliant and often forthright commentary, gathered here is a collection of his ideas and opinions and anecdotes for the coming world cup:

• The Magic of the World Cup
• The Springbok Machine
• The Springboks in 2023
• Competition Stronger Than Ever
• Playing in France
• The Rassie Factor
• Matches that will decide the RWC
• Key Players
• The Referees
• The Coaches and Captains – leadership is key
• Handling the pressure – the mental challenge
• Nick’s predictions

An intimate self-portrait encompassing the life, times, and career of one of the most transformative individuals--let alone athletes--of recent times.

Journeying from a blue-collar childhood to shatter tennis's exclusive country-club culture, Billie Jean King paved the way for a more open, inclusive, and equal sports environment. In her memoir, she takes us behind the scenes of the pro tennis tour, through her five years as the top-ranked woman in the world, her twenty Wimbledon championships, her thirty-nine grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes."

With her ever-present candour, King also describes the high personal price of public greatness. We see how she struggled to live authentically and the challenges she grappled with beneath the mask of fame, including entrenched sexism, an eating disorder and struggles with her sexual identity until her "outing" by a former lover led her to embrace her true self. We come to understand how, through it all, her unshakeable integrity, resilience, and sense of purpose allowed her time and again to overcome her obstacles, and, at a few dire moments, to rebound from near ruin.

Hers is the story of a pathbreaking fighter for equality, world-class athlete, and an indomitable spirit.

Now filmed as INVICTUS directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2008 As the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup dawned, and the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks, more was at stake than a sporting trophy. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa. Playing the Enemy tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and tells of how - just occasionally - something as simple as a game really can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences.

What would you put on the line for what you believe in? For Chris Bertish, the answer is everything. ALL IN!

In 2017 Chris became the first person ever to stand-up paddleboard across any ocean. Defying all odds, he paddled 7500 kilometers solo, unassisted and unsupported, for 93 days across the Atlantic Ocean, from Morocco, Africa to Antigua in the Caribbean. During three months at sea he was targeted by a great white shark, towed by a giant sea squid, capsized multiple times and surfed down 10-meter waves as challenging as anything he had faced in any Mavericks Big Wave Surfing Championships.

Too many times he found himself hanging on the edge of his modified SUP for dear life. He also become one with the elements, and ultimately succeeded in doing something everyone said was simply impossible.

This is the story of his incredible journey.

In late 2024 Ireland, with a population of just 7 million people, stood at the top of rugby union's world rankings.

Ireland's rise to such an exalted position has been the great triumph of rugby's professional era. For a nation that fought tooth and nail to keep the game amateur, their progress since 2000 has been extraordinary. The trophies, once so rare in Irish rugby hands, have become almost commonplace. Six Nations Championships, Triple Crowns, Millennium Trophies have all stood in the IRFU offices in Dublin.

But that is the top tier of the game. What is the health of the sport at other levels all around Ireland? In this book award-winning international rugby writer Peter Bills seeks to take the pulse of the game at every level - schools, clubs, provinces - as well as the fast-expanding women's game. For if rugby at grassroots level withers, the decline will affect everyone. And how can rugby learn to live side by side with the ubiquitous GAA?

Featuring interviews with some legendary names of Irish rugby, such as Keith Wood, Willie John McBride, Tony Ward, Bill Mulcahy, Gordon D'Arcy, Trevor Ringland, Nigel Carr and Tommy Bowe, we also hear from men and women from junior and club rugby, at clubs like Dingle, Kinsale, Monkstown, Boyne, Westport, City of Derry, Donegal Town, Omagh and Oughterard. All of them are doing stirring work behind the scenes for their local clubs and communities as Bills goes in search of the soul of Irish rugby.

Sir Alex Ferguson's compelling story is always honest and revealing he reflects on his managerial career that embraced unprecedented European success for Aberdeen and 26 triumphant seasons with Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's best-selling autobiography has now been updated to offer reflections on events at Manchester United since his retirement as well as his teachings at the Harvard Business School, a night at the Oscars and a boat tour round the Hebrides, where he passed unrecognised.

The extra material adds fresh insights and detail on his final years as United's manager.

Both the psychology of management and the detail of football strategy at the top level can be complex matters but no-one has explained them in a more interesting and accessible way for the general reader than Sir Alex does here.

My Autobiography is revealing, endlessly entertaining and above all inspirational.

The world's bestselling Grand Prix handbook is back for the new season.

This is the definitive guide to Formula 1 in 2024. A complete examination of all the teams racing this season (from Red Bull and Mercedes to Ferrari and McLaren), every driver (including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc) and all the tracks featured in the packed Grand Prix calendar.

Also including a full review of the 2023 season and a breakdown of the new rules and regulations for 2024, this indispensable guidebook features a full breakdown of last season's drivers' and constructors' world championship results - as well as a fill-in chart for 2024, so each book becomes your own personalised guide to the year's action.

Written by bestselling F1 author Bruce Jones and containing dozens of breathtaking photographs and detailed circuit illustrations plus a statistics section highlighting the major records in F1 history, this is the only guide you'll need for the racing action ahead.

Amidst a current tidal wave of negativity, Raising Champions emerges as a powerful and timely antidote for our country. Drawing from the personal journeys of three of South Africa’s most celebrated sports figures, Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos, Bafana Bafana legend Shaun Bartlett, and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner CJ van der Linde, Raising Champions reveals how discipline, character, faith and having the right values can elevate ordinary youth into extraordinary leaders.

Written by life coach and author Myan Subrayan, the book serves as a motivational road map for parents, teachers, coaches and young people navigating today’s broken world. It delivers practical insights and powerful testimonies that prove our youth are not doomed to be another statistic. With the right mentorship and guidance, they can rise above their circumstances and become champions not just in sport, but in life.

This book is also a valuable resource for business leaders and organisations looking to inspire their teams with the timeless principles of commitment, perseverance and character. It challenges leaders to lead by example and equips them with insights that can ignite a culture of excellence and purpose within the workplace.

Raising Champions is a clarion call to a nation: it’s time to rebuild, one value-driven young person at a time.

Who is Erik ten Hag? Calm and cool-headed, he ignores critics, follows his own methods and relentlessly pursues perfection on the pitch. His uncanny ability to analyse and solve problems - the 'process' as Ten Hag calls it - has unfailingly led to breakthrough. There is no magic. There is only intelligence at work, personal devotion to players and near-obsessive attention to detail.

At Ajax, Ten Hag brooked no dissent and moulded his team into a smoothly operating unit of attack. His team enjoyed an astonishing run, winning three league cups in a row and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a quarter of a century. Along the way, they produced some of the brightest and most entertaining football seen in Europe for years.

Maarten Meijer's definitive biography follows Erik ten Hag, from his upbringing in the Dutch countryside to his domestic triumphs and European victories. Meijer's book is the ultimate guide to the man with the momentous task of ending a decade of disappointment at Manchester United, and beginning a new era of great and winning football.

A bestseller for 21 years, Mike Lundy’s Best Walks in the Cape Peninsula remains one of the most popular books on hiking in Cape Town.

Each of the 30 day walks in this classic collection has been carefully chosen because of a particular point of interest, be it a waterfall, grotto, yellowwood grove, shipwreck or spectacular viewpoint. The routes range from challenging climbs to the top of Table Mountain to leisurely strolls among the fynbos or along city beaches, and will appeal to hikers of all levels of experience – whether aspiring ramblers or diehard adventurers.

A simple grading system, information on the average hiking time, notes on the availability of water and practical advice on mountain safety and weather conditions ensure that the hiker is given a clear idea of what to expect. Every walk is accompanied by an accurate map and an easy-to-follow route description, spiced with historical snippets and nature notes.

For this eighth edition, all route descriptions and maps have been brought up to date, the design and typography have been given a fresh, modern look and photographs and illustrations add lively interest. With so many spectacular walks to choose from in the Cape Peninsula, Mike Lundy’s Best Walks in the Cape Peninsula is the ultimate authority on the best and quickest escape from the rat race – even if only for a day.

"My name is Samantha and I’m an alcoholic. At the time of writing, I’ve been sober for 13 years, 11 months and 16 days. And yes I still count. I promised I would never speak about it publicly until my children understood what that meant, that mommy was an alcoholic. I think they may have understood long before I did."

From Whiskey To Water is the no-holds-barred memoir by one of South Africa’s most loved radio talk show hosts, Sam Cowen. Having kept her alcohol addiction well away from the public eye for over 14 years, in this tell-all tale, Sam finds the courage to talk about her struggle with her addiction to whiskey, food and finally to a passion that saved her life – marathon swimming. Told in her characteristically hilarious dead-pan style, this is one of the bravest books you’ll read this year.

"So this is a book on how I stopped drinking? No, it’s not. It’s how I stopped drinking, started eating, became clinically severely obese, stopped eating (everything that wasn’t nailed down) and swam my way to freedom. No, it’s not. It’s actually about addiction and learning and sadness and anxiety and love and drive. It’s about channelling the unchangeable into the miraculous. It’s about dragons and learning how to put them to sleep when you can’t slay them. It’s about being my own Daenarys."

One of the greats of South African rugby shares the many layers of his colourful and eventful life. From rugby legend to businessman, wine farmer, cultural custodian, musician, father and grandfather, Schalk Burger’s memoir is an intensely personal and honest journey of the triumphs and hardships that have shaped the life of a much-loved South African.

Burger is a storyteller extraordinaire and he’ll have you snorting into your beer as you read about run-ins with officialdom, fisticuffs on the field, how he became the first white Springbok selected from a Coloured team, and the day Cheeky Watson asked to wash his feet.

This is a glimpse into the life and times of one of the country’s most recognised figures, and told in the stories of the many lives that intersected with his. “Who am I, and how do I live? That is something this story will bring out of me.”

Joey Evans has always loved bikes, from his first second-hand Raleigh Strika at the age of six to the powerful off-road machines that became his passion later on in his life. His dream was one day to ride the most gruelling off-road race in the world, the 9000km Dakar Rally. In 2007 his dream was shattered when he broke his back in a racing accident. His spinal cord was crushed, leaving him paralysed from just below his chest. Doctors gave him a 10 per cent chance of ever walking again. Many would have given up and become resigned to life in a wheelchair, but not Joey Evans.

Not only would he get back on his feet and walk, but he would also keep his Dakar dream alive. It was a long and painful road to recovery, involving years of intensive rehabilitation and training, but he had the love and support of both family and friends and an incredible amount of determination. Joey shares the many challenges he and his family faced, relating the setbacks, as well as successes, along the way to the Dakar start line. But the start line was only the first goal – his sights were set on reaching the finish line, which he did in 2017 – the only South African to do so.

From Para To Dakar is so much more than the story of one man reaching the Dakar finish line. It is a story of friendship and respect, compassion and kindness. It is about defying the odds to reach a dream, it is about grit, endurance and raw courage, and it is inspiring in its true heroism.

The mountains and forests in and around Cape Town are a hiker’s paradise, offering an array of excursions to suit both new converts and seasoned ramblers. Hiking CapeTown covers 35 exciting hikes on the Cape Peninsula and further afield, ranging from easy to moderate, with a number of more demanding trails for those who want to up their game.

From classic hikes up the front face of Table Mountain and half-day hikes in the remote Cape Point, to gentle rambles along the coast and walks in mountains and nature reserves a short drive from the city, this book encompasses the area’s must-do routes.

Each description provides easy-to-follow directions and specifies the approximate walking time (between 3 and 7 hours), distance, difficulty rating and terrain. Morevchallenging extensions to some of the routes are provided for hikers who want a more strenuous workout. Full-colour maps and photographs illustrate the routes, and information boxes offer insights into interesting aspects of the specific trails.

Jonty Winch traces the complicated history of South African rugby from its establishment in the Cape in 1879 through to the 2019 World Cup championship.

As he explores key events and questions entrenched narratives, Winch opens a compelling new window on colonialism, apartheid, and the evolution of South African society.

At the pinnacle of motorsports, a humble young man from Stevenage, England has risen to become the most dominant and influential Formula One driver of his time. This authoritative biography follows Hamilton's pathway from his early days karting on local tracks to the glitz and pressure of the Formula One circuit. Along the way, we witness Hamilton's single-minded determination to reach the top, even as he challenged racial barriers and opposition at every turn. His triumph over adversity is all the more inspiring given Hamilton's pioneering role in making motorsports accessible to marginalized communities.

Beyond his unparalleled on-track exploits - leveling the record books held by the legendary Michael Schumacher – Hamilton has used his platform to advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and diversity. Hamilton has emerged as a voice of moral clarity, leveraging his fame to push Formula One and global sports to be a force for positive change.

As Hamilton nears the twilight of his racing career, this book examines his lasting legacy. From shattering stereotypes to inspiring new generations of motor enthusiasts, Hamilton's impact extends far beyond just his championship trophies. The book culminates with Hamilton's potential final act - chasing a record-setting 8th world title at the wheel of the iconic Ferrari team, the ultimate validation of his greatness.

Explore the global history of Formula One in this definitive visual reference, now revised and updated to celebrate 75 years of this fantastic sport. F1 Racing: The Ultimate Companion offers a comprehensive insight into the history, geography and culture of the world's most popular and exciting motorsport. Written by former Autosport editor Bruce Jones, it spotlights each of the forty-eight countries across six continents to have produced an F1 driver or hosted a Grand Prix, exploring the circuits, teams, people and stories that make up each nation's F1 heritage. With individual chapters dedicated to each country, this beautifully illustrated reference book profiles the drivers, constructors and tracks that have made their mark on Formula One and contributed to the sport's global expansion over 75 years of racing. Filled with stunning photography, circuit maps and expert commentary, F1 Racing: The Ultimate Companion takes you inside the world of Formula One like never before. This special anniversary edition is the perfect collection piece for new fans and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

The laws of rugby are as extensive as they are confusing, their nuances and interpretations argued over relentlessly by rugby fans around the world and virtually impenetrable to those who are new to the game. In an effort to provide some much-needed clarity, Paul Williams takes an irreverent, hilarious, p*ss-taking tour through the labyrinth that is rugby's rule book - or, for the pedantic, rugby's law book. Hilarious, off-beat and (surprisingly) insightful, this is the perfect gift for rugby fans all around the world.

Sport and the Brain: The Science of Preparing, Enduring and Winning, Part C, Volume 240, reflects recent advancements in the understanding of how elite athletes prepare for, and perform at, peak levels under the demands of competition. Topics discussed in this new release include The influence of challenge and threat states on affect, perceived exertion, attention, and performance during a competitive sprint cycling task, Prior self-control exertion and perceptions of pain and task importance during a physically demanding task, Enhancing cardiac vagal activity in sport psychology, The influence of cardiac vagal activity on peripheral perception performance under pressure, and much more.

The game of tennis raises many questions that are of interest to a statistician. Is it true that beginning to serve in a set gives an advantage? Are new balls an advantage? Is the seventh game in a set particularly important? Are top players more stable than other players? Do real champions win the big points? These and many other questions are formulated as "hypotheses" and tested statistically. Analyzing Wimbledon also discusses how the outcome of a match can be predicted (even while the match is in progress), which points are important and which are not, how to choose an optimal service strategy, and whether "winning mood" actually exists in tennis. Aimed at readers with some knowledge of mathematics and statistics, the book uses tennis (Wimbledon in particular) as a vehicle to illustrate the power and beauty of statistical reasoning.

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Fiji.

Discover Fiji's most popular experiences and best kept secrets from exploring secluded beaches on the distant islet of Nacula; to visiting the limestone caves of Sawa-i-Lau, a jaw-dropping testament to the artistic powers of the ocean; and scaling the volcanic plus of Vatuvula, looming above the island of Wayasewa.

Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Fiji travel guide:

Our classic guidebook format contains the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week trips All-new structure and design that's easy to use so you can navigate Fiji effortlessly Exciting itineraries help you create your perfect adventure with suggestions for extended journeys, day trips, walking tours and activity-led excursions Expert local recommendations on eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, festivals, when to go and more Vibrant photography and maps including a pull-out map of Fiji Get fresh takes on must-visit sights from Beqa to Rainbow Reef and the Mamanucas Essential information toolkit containing tips on arriving, transport, local etiquette, using money, LGBTIQ+ travel advice, useful words and phrases, accessibility and responsible travel Connect with Fijian culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history and traditions Covers: Nadi, Suva & Viti Levu; Mamanuca & Yasawa; Ovalau & Lomaiviti; Vanua Levu & Taveuni; Kadavu & Lau.

Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Fiji.

While most research on inequality focuses on impoverished communities, it often ignores how powerful communities and elites monopolize resources at the top of the social hierarchy. In Privilege at Play, Hugo Ceron-Anaya offers an intersectional analysis of Mexican elites to examine the ways affluent groups perpetuate dynamics of domination and subordination. Using ethnographic research conducted inside three exclusive golf clubs and in-depth interviews with upper-middle and upper-class golfers, as well as working-class employees, Ceron-Anaya focuses on the class, racial, and gender dynamics that underpin privilege in contemporary Mexico. His detailed analysis of social life and the organization of physical space further considers how the legacy of imperialism continues to determine practices of exclusion and how social hierarchies are subtlety reproduced through distinctions such as fashion and humor, in addition to the traditional indicators of wealth and class. Adding another dimension to the complex nature of social exclusion, Privilege at Play shows how elite social relations and spaces allow for the resource hoarding and monopolization that helps create and maintain poverty.

Explore the world with 50 first-hand accounts of running adventures as told by those who enjoy breaking a sweat as they traverse new landscapes. With 150 further suggestions of routes, races and trails - from the Big Five Marathon in South Africa to a quiet jog in Rome - all you need to remember is to pack your running shoes!

Inside Epic Runs of the World:

50 first-person accounts of running adventures plus 150 suggestions of similar runs to experience Challenge level grading for each run varies from easy for running newbies, harder for runners seeking a challenge, and epic for seasoned racers Breathtaking photography that brings each run to life with personal stories that show how running can connect travellers to local culture on a deeper level Expert information, maps and practical details on where to start and finish your run, total distance, how to get there, what to take, where to stay, and things to know Beautiful and vibrant book cover by New Zealand illustrator, Ross Murray Featured runs include: The Safaricom Half Marathon (Kenya), The Boston Marathon (USA), Copacabana at Dawn (Brazil), Portland's Epic Park Run (USA), Kyoto's Kamo Riverfront (Japan), The Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Cambodia), A Sightseeing Lap Around Edinburgh (Scotland), Barcelona's Sea to Summit (Spain), The Kepler Track (New Zealand), and more.

Add a new running adventure to your bucket list with Lonely Planet's Epic Runs of the World - the perfect gift or self-purchase for anyone who loves to explore our amazing planet with a spring in their step.

This is a story of a simple idea that turned into a global movement. This is the story of parkrun, told for the very first time from the man who started it all.

Growing up in the brutal care system of South Africa, Paul Sinton-Hewitt had a lonely, difficult childhood. Yet he found solace in running – a simple pleasure that taught him resilience and offered a young boy a sense of self-worth.

With dogged determination, Paul built a stable family life for himself and eventually settled in the UK. But by 2004 he was struggling to hold it all together. He’d lost the successful career he’d worked so hard for, his marriage had broken down, and now a devastating injury threatened to cut him off from the running club which had been a lifeline.

In search of connection and purpose, Paul came up with a simple idea. He would start a weekly time trial run every Saturday morning in his local park. There would be no winners or losers, it would always be free and Paul would be there every week – even on Christmas Day – whether or not anyone else came. Little did he know that from just thirteen runners on that first Saturday, parkrun would grow into a 10 million strong community across five continents. Twenty years on parkrun continues to grow, bringing together people from all walks of life in search of health, happiness and community.

Filled with hope and optimism, One Small Step is a powerful affirmation of how coming together in simple ways can change our own lives and might even change the world.