Quest for Glory

Book excerpt: ‘This book carries a powerful message about the important role sport plays in the development of a nation and what it takes to achieve success on the world stage.’ - John Smit South Africa’s sportsmen and women have achieved huge success. World champions and record-breakers, they have dominated sport internationally in the fields of rugby, cricket, swimming and soccer, to name a few. Quest for Glory examines sporting success through the eyes of numerous South African sports personalities, including Gary Player, Bruce Fordyce, Penny Heyns, Ryk Neethling, Baby Jake Matlala, Naas Botha, François Pienaar, Gary Teichmann, Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Paul Treu, Shaun Pollock, Oscar Pistorius, Clive Barker and Tim Noakes. The book investigates questions such as: What defines success? What makes a good team great? How important is the role of mental application? What makes a team lose when they are expected to win, or win when they are expected to lose? How do successful teams and individuals plan and prepare effectively? In doing so, it considers a range of fascinating topics, including big-match temperament, the pyramid of success, mental toughness, self-confidence and self-belief. Insightful, entertaining and inspiring, Quest for Glory uncovers the key to sporting success.