Chester by Mark Keohane

Chester (First Edition Authorised Springbok Biography)

The Authorised Life of Springbok Winger Chester Williams, in His Own Words on Race, Rugby and Courage

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Chester: A Biography of Courage
• Author: Mark Keohane
• Publisher: Don Nelson, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 2002
• ISBN-13: 9781868062096
• ISBN-10: 1868062090
• Edition Details: First Edition, Cape Town, 2002. Standard softcover release.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated softcover (paperback), perfect-bound, in glossy black and yellow wrappers with a cover photograph.
• Physical Format: Trade paperback format, illustrated. Photographs credited on the imprint page.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
• Exterior / Wraps: The glossy illustrated wrappers in black and yellow are clean, with no obvious tears or stains to the front cover or spine. The spine is straight with a slight shine and no visible cracking. Corners and edges are generally clean, with light handling wear consistent with a carefully read copy.
• Interior: The text block is tight and the book opens fairly flat. The pages are clean and legible, with no markings or foxing. The page edges show slight, even cream toning.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Chester: A Biography of Courage is the authorised biography of Chester Williams, the Springbok winger and the only non-white player in the South African squad that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Written by rugby journalist Mark Keohane and published in Cape Town by Don Nelson in 2002, it tells the story of a player whose sporting achievements were set against a backdrop of prejudice.

The book follows Williams's rise through South African rugby and the racism he met along the way. He gives his own views on coaches, team-mates and the politics of the sport, and describes the pain that lay behind his public success.

On publication the biography drew attention for Williams's account of how he felt shunned by some team-mates in the 1995 squad. It remains a significant first-hand source on race, selection and belonging in post-apartheid South African sport, and a fitting companion to the history of the 1995 World Cup. Williams died in September 2019.

Author Profile: Mark Keohane

Mark Keohane is a South African journalist, born in Cape Town, who began freelancing as a teenager. He is described as an award-winning rugby journalist, a former Springbok Communications Manager and the founder of the sports site Keo.co.za.

His other books include Springbok Rugby Uncovered (Zebra Press, 2004), Champions of the World (2007) and Monty (2008), a biography of Percy Montgomery.

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