Launch of John Carlin’s Playing the Enemy

Exclusive Books and Penguin SA invite you to celebrate the launch of John Carlin’s Playing the Enemy

VENUE: Exclusive Books, V&A Waterfront
DATE: Friday, 10 October 2008
TIME: 5:30 for 6pm
RSVP: Exclusive Books on 021 419 0905
or email: waterfront@exclusivebooks.co.za

As the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup dawned, and the Springboks faced New Zealand’s all-conquering All Blacks, more was at stake than just a sporting trophy. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springbok jersey and led the all-white, Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa’s new national anthem, he conquered white South Africa.

The green jersey of South Africa’s Springbok rugby team, which whites loved and blacks saw as a detested symbol of racial oppression, became the instrument around which Mandela chose to heal ancient wounds, unite the country and prevent a war.