Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Cultures, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africas (International Studies in the History of Sport)

By David R. Black and John Nauright

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0719049318
• ISBN13: 9780719049316
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Manchester Univ Pr
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Review

In their book, David Black and John Nauright delve deep into the roots of sporting history in South Africa - tracing it to its British origins - while also tracing the roots of South Africa's widely-known racist ideologies and exploring their effect on each other through the sport of Rugby. Black and Nauright imply that rugby is one of the most important sports in South Africa, if not the most important, and that sanctions imposed by international sporting organizations on the game had the most deeply-felt effects on the apartheid government. The first few chapters of the book provide a general history of sports in South Africa and follow the development of rugby. The middle chapters present the meat of apartheid and sport in South Africa, with stories of international sanctions and particular focus on South Africa's relationship with New Zealand and Australia. Writing about the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa, Black and Nauright make a clear statement that many government efforts at presenting a reformed face to the sporting world were superficial and short lived. Overall I found the information in the book to be helpful, but hard to swallow at times. The highly academic language was a factor, as well as the sheer volume of information crammed into such a small space. Both factors served to dull an otherwise fascinating topic. The notes at the end of chapters however, were useful, and there is no doubt that the authors presented a well-researched project in their book.

very perceptive

This book was very interesting. It presented a unique view of the way rugby shaped South African society and influenced the way whites percieved themselves. It also includes a scholarly discussion oof the ways in which rugby influenced apartheid. This book is very different, and quite mind-expanding.