The new-look South African Rugby Annual 2015 is the official record of the South African season and is widely considered to be the finest yearbook in world rugby. The unrivalled 'bible' of the game has definitively chronicled the game in this country for over four decades and this 44th edition represents a refreshing departure from previous editions in terms of editorial and design.

For starters, the 2015 edition, at 640 pages, will be by far the biggest Annual to date, while a more compact, user-friendly size and cleaner design will ensure that rugby fans will have more facts and figures at the disposal than ever before – and all presented in a refreshing manner.

For lovers of sporting trivia, the South African Rugby Annual 2015 doubles for the first time as a Springbok handbook, with hundreds of bite-sized facts and figures appearing throughout the book. For example, did you know that 2007 World Cup winner Schalk Burger made his Test debut just 17 years after his dad, Schalk senior played his last match? Or that Pieter ‘Slaptjips’ Rossouw scored the fastest-ever Springbok hat-trick, in just seven minutes? Or that the Webb Ellis Cup was already 81 years old when it was first presented at the 1987 World Cup?

Trivia apart, the Annual is also the official and definitive resource for the upcoming 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup, with a dedicated section providing every stat imaginable for Springbok fans, including the result of every World Cup match ever played!

The 2015 edition will also establish the Annual as a leading sporting journal, with a host of best-selling authors contributing articles that add fascinating and previously unpublished new chapters to the unique and colourful saga of South African rugby.

Dan Retief, who has written about Springbok rugby for more than four decades, uncovers the fascinating and little-known story of a New Zealand rugby team who swept all before them in South Africa years before the Springboks and All Blacks first met, while Craig Ray, who wrote 2007 Rugby World Cup winning coach Jake White’s autobiography, provides a personal insight into what it takes to win the ultimate prize in world rugby.

With its unrivalled mix of Springbok trivia, cutting-edge research and every record imaginable, the South African Rugby Annual 2015 will continue to settle arguments at braais across the land, while continuing to be the perfect gift for rugby fans of all ages.

South Africa played their first test in 1891 in Port Elizabeth against the British Isles, and lost 0-4.

Percy Montgomery was the first Springbok to play in 100 tests. He retired in 2008 after a record 102 tests and 893 points in the Springbok jersey.

Ten sets of fathers and sons have played for South Africa, the most recent being Hennie and Andries Bekker.

The wives of twelve Springboks have represented South Africa in other sports, the most recent being Hannelie du Randt, wife of Os, as a swimmer.

The Springbok Handbook brings you everything there is to know about the famous team, from the very first match played to the present. The authors’ meticulous research reveals records and facts never published before, while they also recount the popular stories involving South African rugby down the years. Tables, notes, facts and statistics make this book a treasure trove of everything a rugby fan will want to know about the Springbok team: the players, heritage, disasters and triumphs.

This up-to-date guide to South African rugby includes everything you need to know about the Springbok’s participation in the Rugby World Cup thus far. From the most matches for South Africa at the World Cup to team and individual records; individual Rugby World Cup facts by tournament to the winners of the William Webb Ellis Trophy; and an alphabetical list of South African players to the youngest World Cup winner, everything is included in this expert almanac.

South Africa played their first test in 1891 in Port Elizabeth against the British Isles, and lost 0-4. Percy Montgomery is the first and so far only Springbok to have played in 100 tests. He retired in 2008 after a record 102 tests and 893 points in the Springbok jersey. Ten sets of fathers and sons have played for South Africa, the most recent being Hennie and Andries Bekker. The wives of twelve Springboks have represented South Africa in other sports, the most recent being Hannelie du Randt, wife of Os, as a swimmer. Springbok Miscellany brings you everything there is to know about the famous team, from the very first match played to the present. The authors’ meticulous research reveals records and facts never published before, while they also recount the popular stories involving South African rugby down the years. Tables, notes, facts and statistics make this book a treasure trove of everything a rugby fan will want to know about the Springbok team: the players, heritage, disasters and triumphs.

Suid-Afrika het sy eerste toets in 1891 in Port Elizabeth teen die Britse Eilande gespeel en met 0-4 verloor. Percy Montgomery was die eerste en enigste Springbok wat in 100 toetse gespeel het. Hy het in 2008 uitgetree, na 'n rekord van 102 toetse en 893 punte in die Springboktrui. Tien stelle pa's en seuns het vir Suid-Afrika gespeel, waarvan Hennie en Andries Bekker die jongste is. Twaalf Springbokke se vroue het Suid-Afrika in ander sportsoorte verteenwoordig. Die jongste was Hannelie du Randt, Os du Randt se vrou, as swemster. Springbok-allegaartjie gee jou alles wat jy oor die beroemde span wil weet, van die heel eerste wedstryd tot die hede. Die skrywers se noukeurige navorsing onthul rekords en feite wat nog nooit die lig gesien het nie, en hulle vertel ook gewilde verhale rondom Suid-Afrikaanse rugby oor die jare heen. Tabelle, aanteke-ninge, feite en statistiek verander die boek in ’n skatkis met alles wat ’n rugbygeesdriftige oor die Springbokspan wil weet: die spelers, die erfenis, die rampe en die seges.