Bursting Through The Half-Gap - The Story Of Errol Tobias: Trailblazer Or Traitor? (Paperback)


Errol Tobias debuted as the first black Springbok in 1980 (aged 30) and played at international level until 1984, delivering sterling performances at flyhalf and centre, albeit in the shadow of a then-youthful Naas Botha.

Today, the debate still rages on about Tobias's decision to feature for South Africa when apartheid in sport denied most other black sportspeople such an opportunity. However, almost four decades after he burst through the half-gap between racial barriers and accusations of tokenism, the quest to produce more black Springboks remains a hot potato.

The story told in this book - published in celebration of 120 years of organised black rugby in South Africa (1897-2017) - is a story of perseverance, political side-stepping and sacrifice, and it begins with a dream involving former Springbok captain Naas Botha, currently a rugby analyst for Supersport.


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Errol Tobias debuted as the first black Springbok in 1980 (aged 30) and played at international level until 1984, delivering sterling performances at flyhalf and centre, albeit in the shadow of a then-youthful Naas Botha.

Today, the debate still rages on about Tobias's decision to feature for South Africa when apartheid in sport denied most other black sportspeople such an opportunity. However, almost four decades after he burst through the half-gap between racial barriers and accusations of tokenism, the quest to produce more black Springboks remains a hot potato.

The story told in this book - published in celebration of 120 years of organised black rugby in South Africa (1897-2017) - is a story of perseverance, political side-stepping and sacrifice, and it begins with a dream involving former Springbok captain Naas Botha, currently a rugby analyst for Supersport.

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