Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa (International Studies in the History of Sport) [Paperback]

David Black (Author), John Nauright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998 | Series: International Studies in the History of Sport

Rugby and the South African Nation explores the complex and controversial role of rugby union in the politics and cultures of South Africa, from its emergence as a settler dominion in the early twentieth century through to the post-apartheid era. Conventional historical and political analyses of South Africa have frequently neglected the vital role of sport in general, and rugby in particular, in this fascinating society. This book seeks to fill this gap through a critical interpretation of rugby's role in the development of white society, its virtually ignored role in African communities, its role in shaping significant social divisions and its centrality to the apartheid era "power elite." It also considers the powerful influence of international rugby in forging a racist "national' identity." Finally, it examines the varying meanings attached to rugby in the new South Africa from broad euphoria to a more narrow nostalgic appeal for many white rugby supporters with particular emphasis on the 1995 Rugby World Cup hosted and won by South Africa.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Black is Assistant Professor in Political Science at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.

John Nauright is Senior Lecturer in Sports Studies, Department of Human Movement, The University of Queensland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0719049326
• ISBN-13: 978-0719049323
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #806,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Other Team Sports > Rugby

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very perceptive, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa (International Studies in the History of Sport) (Paperback)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, June 18, 2002

By 

Sarah Wilson (Pullman, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa (International Studies in the History of Sport) (Paperback)

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.

3.0 out of 5 stars Read it for knowledge not pleasure., June 17, 2002

By 

Eric - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa (International Studies in the History of Sport) (Paperback)

David Black and John Nauright's Rugby and the South African Nation steps the reader through the history of rugby in South Africa. From the early 1800's until the late 1900's, rugby was brought by the British, developed in their missions and played key roles in the lives of both South African settlers and natives. Black and Nauright did a good job explaining the importance of each major topic on the overall effect of the people and government in South Africa. The use of words that leaves many readers going for the dictionary together with long complicated sentences made it obvious that they wrote this book for the well-educated reader. This book did discuss, as the title suggests, rugby and its role in South Africa.

Black and Nauright start with the history behind white and black rugby in South Africa and how it has helped form the nation. They write in depth on the secret society of the Broederbond as well as the sporting relationship with New Zealand and the Rugby World Cup of 1995. Each of these chapters are well organized individually, however, seem to be awkwardly organized in the overall structure of the book.

This book should not be read for pleasure purposes. It has a depth of information regarding the effects of rugby on the South African Nation that will inform anyone who reads the book. Black and Nauright are sometimes hard to follow, however, seem to know the material and write like their readers have at least a limited knowledge of rugby and the South African Nation. You may spend considerable time re-reading sentences in order to decipher the authors' thoughts.