MIRACLE MEN

<p>When Rassie Erasmus took over as coach of the Springboks in 2018 few thought they had a chance of winning the Rugby World Cup. The Boks had slipped to seventh in the world rankings and lost the faith of the rugby-loving public. Less than two years later jubilant crowds lined the streets of South Africa’s cities to welcome back the victorious team.</p><p>Sportswriter Lloyd Burnard takes the reader on the thrilling journey of a team that went from no-hopers to world champions. He examines how exactly this turnaround was achieved. Interviews</p><p>with players coaches and support staff reveal how the principles of inclusion openness and focus as well as careful planning and superb physical conditioning became the basis for a winning formula. The key roles played by Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi shine through.</p><p>There were ups and downs along the way: beating the All Blacks in Wellington during the Rugby Championship was a high point but then came Kolisi’s injury while in Japan the distractions of a volatile support base sometimes shook the players’ focus. <em>Miracle Men</em> is filled with marvellous anecdotes and sharp insights. It is also inspiring testimony to what can be achieved when a group of South Africans from all backgrounds come together as a team.</p>