Festive 25 Sport

Eben Etzebeth is the most-capped player in South African rugby history. A towering lock, his intelligence, energy and aggression on the pitch is feared, respected, often imitated but never matched.He is the heart and soul of a historically successful Springbok team and a key part of their astonishingly successful run that encompasses two consecutive World Cups and a current two-year-stint at the top of the world rankings. In this frank and disarming account, Eben uncovers the key factors in his extraordinary success, and how he keeps focused, both on and off the pitch. From his humble beginnings in Goodwood, a Cape Town suburb where nothing came easy, through his early club career and on to his hard-won place within the South African squad, UNLOCKED reveals the personal side of an astonishing professional career.This is an inspiring story of a man who has led from the front and played against the best in the world.

Read more less

Eben Etzebeth is tans die speler wat al die meeste toetswedstryde in die Suid-Afrikaanse rugbygeskiedenis gespeel het. Op die veld word hierdie ellelange slot se intelligensie, energie en aggressie gevrees, gerespekteer en dikwels nageboots – maar hy bly ongeëwenaard.  Hy is lid van die Springbokke se senior leierskapsgroep, en speel ’n deurslaggewende rol in ’n ongelooflik suksesverhaal wat twee agtereenvolgende Wêreldbekers insluit, asook die span se posisie boaan die wêreldranglys die afgelope twee jaar. In hierdie eerlike en onderhoudende vertelling beskryf Eben van die vernaamste faktore vir sy buitengewone sukses, en hoe hy gefokus bly – op en van die veld af. Van sy beskeie kinderjare in Goodwood – ’n voorstad van Kaapstad waar niks maklik kom nie – regdeur sy vroeë klubloopbaan, tot by sy swaar verdiende plek in die Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale span, vertel Ten slotte die verhaal van ’n merkwaardige sportloopbaan.

Read more less

Dana Snyman se verbintenis met rugby kom van ver af. Op vier woon hy saam met sy pa ’n eindstryd op Coetzenburg by, en hoor hy die naam Dawie de Villiers vir die eerste keer. Kort hierna kry hy sy eerste rugbybal, ’n geskenk van Dok Craven . . . Van klubrugby op stowwerige dorpsvelde tot die glorie van drie Wêreldbekers; dis stories dié wat aankom oor ’n leeftyd. Wie de hel is Johnny Joubert? is – nes rugby – kleurryk, sonder fiemies, en eg Suid-Afrikaans. 

Read more less

From Australia and Italy to China and the U.S, Ted Kravitz - hailed as an 'icon' and 'one of the most high-profile voices in F1' - is the fan's eyes and ears in the pit, followed by millions of F1 fans eager to see what's going on behind the scenes. His 'Ted's Notebook' series is essential viewing for the fan, and his insights are fascinating, fun and accurate.For the first time, F1 INSIDER: Notes From The Pit Lane brings his unique view and knowledge of the past, present, and future of the world's most glamorous, complex, and fascinating sport to life. Drawing from his own inimitable style, crafted with over two decades of working in, mixing with, and immersing himself throughout F1, Ted provides an insider's view of the inner circle of Teams, drivers and all things F1.

Read more less

From the moment her parents first sat her in a go-kart, Susie Wolff felt it - the thrill of speed, the spark of something bigger. A little girl who dared to dream to one day race in Formula One.As Susie rose through the ranks of motorsport, one truth became impossible to ignore: she was almost always the only woman on the grid. And yet she held onto the unshakeable belief that instinct and resilience could carve a path through a world not designed for her. So when her racing chapter ended, she turned her mind to first transforming a struggling Formula E team and, later, leading F1 Academy, inspiring young women to enter the sport she loves.In Driven, Susie lifts the bonnet for the first time on her extraordinary life. From the driver's seat of the racing car to the heart of the F1 paddock, she offers a rare, first-hand view into the inner workings of motorsport at its highest level. With exceptional candour, she shares the story of her enduring relationship with her husband Toto and how she has navigated the balance between ambition and motherhood.

Read more less

'This is a wonderful book. I love it. Mark's research is amazing, with the in-depth interviews and level of detail providing great insights into who Carlos Alcaraz is.'- Annabel Croft, broadcaster and former tennis player: 'A perfect match of author and subject. Mark Hodgkinson's mix of style and substance - flair and professionalism - mirrors Carlos Alcaraz on a tennis court.'- Jon Wertheim, a senior writer at Sports Illustrated'This is a great window into the background and processes of arguably the most exciting player in men's tennis right now.' - Charlie Eccleshare, tennis correspondent for the New York Times and The Athletic 'A highly readable portrait of tennis's most exciting young talent.'- Conor Niland, a former tennis player and the winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award 2024 for 'The Racket''This is a brilliant book. The detail on offer is extraordinary ... A cracking read for any tennis fan.'- Courtney Walsh, Fox Sports in AustraliaINSIDE THE MIND OF A YOUNG ICON CHASING TENNIS HISTORY Based on new interviews with those closest to him - including coaches, friends, old teachers and other villagers - Being Carlos Alcaraz offers fresh insights into a tennis phenomenon. From a modest apartment above a kebab shop in the village of El Palmar to glory on the sport's biggest stages, this captivating book traces Alcaraz's emergence and contrasts his story against the Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Grit. Joy. Swagger. Belief. The dark moments between the smiles. The tears. The broken racquets. The tension of wanting to be a normal young man while aspiring to tennis greatness. Being Carlos Alcaraz delves into the emotional and cultural forces that have shaped a modern icon - one destined to redefine tennis for years to come.

Read more less

THIS AUTUMN'S MUST-HAVE AUTOBIOGRAPHY'A split-second decision is all it takes. A decision that can change the course of a cricket match. Maybe even the course of your life.'Sometimes, a split-second is all it takes. In cricket. In life.In Coming Home, Freddie Flintoff zeroes-in on the crucial moments that made him - some highly celebrated, others less well-known, away from the cameras, but all pivotal in shaping the man he is.As a boy, growing up in Preston, Fred fell in love with the game of cricket. It gave him his route through life; out on the pitch he felt at home. Through his eyes we see him picking up a bat for the first time, his early years on the field; that incredible performance to win the Ashes against the Aussies in 2005; face-downs with rivals; run-ins with the media; the doctors telling him he can't continue to play. On and off the pitch, in and out of the spotlight, Fred tells the whole story.After retiring, Fred thought he'd left the game behind, relaunching himself in the world of entertainment, but following the car crash that turned his life upside down, it was cricket to which he returned.Coming Home is a reflection on a unique life, a story like no other, and a love letter to the game that made him. Honest, open, reflective and funny, like the man himself, this is Freddie Flintoff, in full, in his own words.

Read more less

No one had ever played tennis quite like Björn Borg. With his incredible athleticism, powerful shot-making and distinctive style, he became a sensation after he burst onto the scene aged just 15. As he ascended to the pinnacle of men's tennis, Borg experienced unprecedented stardom and success that changed the game forever.Hailed as one of the most talented players to ever step onto a tennis court, Borg collected the game's highest honours, including eleven Grand Slam titles - with five consecutive Wimbledon titles - establishing himself as one of the greatest of all time. Then he stunned the sporting world by announcing his retirement at the age of 26 and disappeared from tennis.After all these years of silence, Borg is ready to share everything. In this candid memoir, Borg takes us through all the major moments in his career, shares insights into his rivalry with John McEnroe - considered one of the best in the sport's history - and their legendary 1980 Wimbledon final, and explains his shock retirement. Borg writes candidly about his personal life - for so long kept under wraps - including his childhood, his early stardom and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, alongside all the highs and lows of his unmatched career. For the first time, readers will get Borg's own account of his career, his choices, and the experiences that shaped him as a person, from his childhood right up to today. This look behind the curtain at an enigmatic player who has fascinated generations of tennis fans, is ultimately a fascinating look at the making of sporting legend and, for readers who know nothing about tennis, a rare glimpse into an extraordinary, compelling life.

Read more less