British publishing company Kraken Opus have announced it will be producing the Springbok Opus in 2011, placing South African rugby in the company of iconic global sporting brands such as Manchester United and Ferrari.
The Springboks will be the subject of the first rugby Opus to be published.
The book will weigh about 37 kilograms and measures about about half a metre square. It is likely to include about 150 000 words and 1 000 pictures, making it a unique South African rugby publication.
Kraken CEO Karl Fowler presented SA Rugby with a copy of the Superbowl Opus MVP edition and Andy Colquhoun, SA Rugby's media communications manager, said it would be given to the Springbok team.
Nick Sawyer, Kraken Opus marketing director, said the project had already drawn great interest. "South Africa's emotional affinity with rugby extends way beyond simply following a sport," said Sawyer.
"For a Springbok fan it all comes down to one word - passion, so it's not surprising that there has already been a huge interest in the Springbok Opus.
"We anticipate that this will grow even more now that the word is officially out."
Acting managing director of SA Rugby Andy Marinos said the production of the large format Springbok Opus was a monumental task.
"That we have been chosen over other rugby nations is a tribute to the power of the Springbok emblem but also to the fact that our rugby story and that of South Africa has a unique resonance," said Marinos.
"It places us (South African rugby) alongside iconic global institutions such as Manchester United, Ferrari and Arsenal.
"The history of rugby in our country has been a divided one but we are promised that the Springbok Opus will pull all of those strands together in a way that has never been achieved before."
Sapa
