The Chosen: The ultimate Green and Gold club

BOOK REVIEW: Select the 50 Greatest Springboks of All Time!

At first glance, this may seem like a straightforward task. Yet, in reality, it is anything but simple.

Choosing a team on any given day is an emotive and contentious endeavour.

Now, tasked with identifying the 50 greatest players in over a century of South African rugby history is a formidable and daunting undertaking.

Nevertheless, the much-anticipated third edition of *The Chosen* has finally arrived on bookshelves.

The journey began with the inaugural edition released by Don Nelson Publishers in 2003, which at the time included only one contemporary active player: the legendary Joost van der Westhuizen.

The second edition followed in 2011, arriving in the wake of South Africa’s triumphant 2007 World Cup victory.

This latest edition proudly welcomes modern icons and double-World Cup champions, such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Handré Pollard, Malcolm Marx, Duane Vermeulen, and Frans Steyn, into its ranks.

Authored by the late Paul Dobson (who contributed to both the 2003 and 2011 versions) alongside Andy Colquhoun, this book bravely navigates the murky waters of evaluating players across a span exceeding 130 years.

With insights from former Springbok players, selectors, coaches, and historians, the authors meticulously assessed the careers of every player who has donned the national jersey since 1891.

Their labour has culminated in what they deem the ‘definitive’ ranking of the Top 50, complete with a carefully curated matchday 23.

Who claims the coveted No. 1 spot as the greatest of all time?

How can we juxtapose the pioneering Springboks of yore with the modern gladiators of today?

Os or Ox? Malcolm or Jan? Frik or Victor? Naas or Handre? Cheslin or Bryan? HO or Percy?

These questions, alongside countless others, are poised to resolve long-standing debates that have echoed through the hallowed halls of pubs for decades.

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The book bridges the chasm between distinct eras, evaluating the legendary amateur icons of the early 1900s – men like Bennie Osler and Boy Louw – against the contemporary titans of professional rugby, such as Bryan Habana, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi.

Rather than succumb to the whims of modern popularity contests, the authors anchored their selections in historic rating systems. They supplemented their expert analysis with the closely guarded insights and rankings from South Africa’s rugby luminaries, including Danie Craven and AF Markotter.

Every chapter dedicated to the 50 chosen players meticulously explores their careers, playing styles, historical significance, and comprehensive statistical records.

This book is ever-evolving. As the Springboks continue to secure World Cup victories, new legends will be enshrined in forthcoming editions, compelling the authors to grapple with the agonising dilemma of which historical figures must relinquish their place on the elite top 50 list.

As a teaser, here is The Chosen’s Springbok XV: 15 HO de Villiers, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Danie Gerber, 12 Japie Krige, 11 Carel du Plessis, 10 Naas Botha, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Doug Hopwood, 7 Hennie Muller, 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Frik du Preez, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Boy Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16 Jan Lotz, 17 Chris Kock, 18 Jan Ellis, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Phil Mostert, 21 Joost van der Westhuizen, 22 Hansie Brewis, 23 Bryan Habana.

To see who ranks No.1 and where the current Boks are ranked on the ‘all-time’ list, you can purchase a copy at all major retailers like Exclusive Books and Bargain Books.

The Chosen: The 50 Greatest Springboks of All Time

Book overview
Authors: Andy Colquhoun and Paul Dobson.
Panel: Included historical figures and experts like Danie Craven and AF Markotter.
Price: ZAR494.99, but some stores have it on ‘special’ for just under ZAR400

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