More than rugby

'You might never play rugby again'. Everything that I did for most of my life was centred on rugby, so can you imagine the shock I experienced when I heard those words?

But if you thought that was bad - there's more. The doctor went on to say that there was a chance I could end up dying.

Now that was the absolutely devastating part! After being on cloud nine in the Springbok squad and going to the World Cup, being hit with this shattering news was enough to knock the wind out of my sails.

I couldn't believe it. Just when my career was beginning to soar: scoring and winning the Super 14 finals; great performances in the Tri-Nations (and against England at Loftus); being selected for the Springbok World Cup squad ...and now this?

These are the words of Pierre Spies, who reached the heights of Springbok status and was then told that he may never play rugby again.

In "More than Rugby", Spies, one of the most imposing and explosive loose forwards that South African rugby has ever produced, shares his own story for the first time: from his family life to his numerous sporting triumphs to his faith. This title is presented with a foreword by Victor Matfield and contributions from Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana and Juan Smith.