2011 marked an important milestone in the life of rugby in South Africa – the first rugby game was played on South African soil in 1861 making this the 150th year of rugby in South Africa.Wim van der Berg chronicles the development of the game from its earliest beginnings to its status as a national obsession following the players and the teams through the history of South Africa. With words and photographs the rugby fan is shown how far the game has come and yet how the spirit of the game has endured.Van der Berg follows the changes in provincial rugby, the move from an amateur game to professionalism, the growth of the major tournaments that TV viewers follow so passionately, but never loses sight of the people behind the game – the players, the coaches, the administrators and the fans.Detailed statistics on important rugby games through the 150 years of its history in South Africa – who played, who scored, final scores and more.

2011 marked an important milestone in the life of rugby in South Africa – the first rugby game was played on South African soil in 1861 making this the 150th year of rugby in South Africa.Wim van der Berg chronicles the development of the game from its earliest beginnings to its status as a national obsession following the players and the teams through the history of South Africa. With words and photographs the rugby fan is shown how far the game has come and yet how the spirit of the game has endured.Van der Berg follows the changes in provincial rugby, the move from an amateur game to professionalism, the growth of the major tournaments that TV viewers follow so passionately, but never loses sight of the people behind the game – the players, the coaches, the administrators and the fans.Detailed statistics on important rugby games through the 150 years of its history in South Africa – who played, who scored, final scores and more.