FRIK by Frik du Preez & Chris Schoeman

FRIK (Collectible Springbok Rugby Autobiography)

The Life and Career of Springbok Lock Frik du Preez, Told with Historian Chris Schoeman

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: FRIK: Die Outobiografie van 'n Legende
• Authors: Frik du Preez & Chris Schoeman
• Publisher: Don Nelson, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 2004
• ISBN-13: 9781868062256
• ISBN-10: 1868062252
• Edition Details: First Edition (Eerste Uitgawe), Cape Town: Don Nelson, 2004.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated paperback wrappers, perfect bound, with a glossy photographic cover.
• Physical Format: Large softcover (trade paperback), with black and white photographs throughout the text. Foreword by Colin Meads.
• Language: Afrikaans

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: The glossy photographic wrappers are sound, with a vertical crease line and light creasing near the top of the spine. The yellow back cover shows slight wear at the lower corner and along the edges. The corners are mostly sound. The edges of the text block are toned.
• Interior: The pages examined are clean, with no marks, foxing or stains. The binding is tight, and the page block is slightly toned at the edges. Contains numerous black and white photographs.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Published in Cape Town by Don Nelson in 2004, FRIK: Die Outobiografie van 'n Legende (The Autobiography of a Legend) is the life story of Springbok lock Frik du Preez, written with the historian and journalist Chris Schoeman. It follows his childhood in the Bushveld, his years with Northern Transvaal and his twelve seasons in the Green and Gold.

The book also deals with the controversies of his career, including his blacklisting by certain South African rugby bosses, the great players of his era and the state of the game. Highlights include the Currie Cup and the day he dropped, placed and scored.

Du Preez retired as South Africa's most-capped player of his day, and in 2000 South African rugby supporters voted him their greatest player of the twentieth century. This is a fitting first-hand record for collectors of South African rugby history and sporting biography.

Author Profile: Frik du Preez & Chris Schoeman

Frik du Preez was born in Rustenburg on 28 November 1935. He began playing for Northern Transvaal in 1958 and made his first appearance for the Springboks in 1961. He retired with 38 test appearances, then the most for a South African, and in 2000 was named South Africa's rugby player of the twentieth century.

Chris Schoeman was born in Somerset East and studied History and Anthropology at the University of Port Elizabeth and Historic Preservation at Colorado State University. He has worked as a historian and journalist. His books include Churchill's South Africa, The Historical Karoo, Angels of Mercy and Brothers in Arms. He also compiled the rugby anecdote collection Nog Meer Losskrums en Loopdoppe (2002) with Du Preez.

Frik du Preez autobiography · Springbok rugby biography · Frik du Preez Chris Schoeman · South African rugby memoir · Afrikaans rugby book · Don Nelson 2004 first edition · Northern Transvaal rugby history