The National Museum in Bloemfontein’s Head of Department of History, Dr Hendrik Snyders, has recently published his book, Blitzboks: Rugby Sevens in South Africa – A History, 1904-2019.
According to a statement from the museum, this book is a pioneering publication since no similar comprehensive history of sevens rugby in South Africa, Africa, or elsewhere in the world has been published thus far. It explains that it is also unique in the sense that it covers South Africa’s participation in global events. It is further an inclusive publication as it recognises all of South Africa’s rugby traditions, ideologies and race groups involved in organising and playing the game for over a century. Consequently, it contributes to the promotion of reconciliation and nation-building and raising awareness of a shared heritage.
Snyders told Bloemfontein Courant that Blitzboks is the result of six years of intensive research about all forms of rugby sevens and aims to fill a significant gap in South African and international rugby history. Its publication is indeed a great source of satisfaction and a personal highlight.
“While the book is aimed at a general readership, it is fully contextualised and referenced to serve as a guide to academics and others who want to do their own checking and research. Its further importance lies in the fact that it also tells the story of rugby league (as opposed to rugby union), women, schools, and corporate rugby sevens events.”
He says he has made a concerted effort to tell the story of rugby among non-white South African despite the very fragmented available archives. He is therefore looking forward to receive all manner of feedback from readers with a view to further research.
The book consists of 20 chapters and is available online from Naledi. Interested buyers should phone Tersia Swart at Naledi on 078-648-8616. It will also be available from leading book stores nation-wide in due course.
The statement adds that very little is known about the origins, evolution and current status of the shortened version of the fifteens-game locally. Similarly, the existence of a seven-a- side tradition within both the white and black communities (as well as within the rugby league fraternity) for more than a century, remains a largely unmapped territory. This new publication has now reversed the situation. Sevens rugby is played over a period of five to six months in ten of the most iconic cities in the world. Among these are Cape Town, London, Dubai, Las Vegas, Wellington (NZ), Vancouver; Glasgow, Sydney and Tokyo.
The Rugby World Cup Sevens attracts global world media coverage and involves a multitude of nations. Locally, the game is played and promoted by 14 provincial rugby unions consisting of an estimated 4000 clubs, schools, universities and colleges.
Sazly Hartzenberg
