Die hemel is werklik is die ware verhaal van ’n vierjarige seuntjie van ’n leraar van ’n klein dorpie in Nebraska wat tydens ’n noodoperasie uit sy bewussyn na die hemel gaan. Hy oorleef die operasie en begin ná die tyd vertel van hoe hy kon afkyk op die dokter tydens die operasie en hoe hy kon sien hoe sy pa bid in die wagkamer. Colton het vertel dat hy sy sussie, wat nooit gebore is nie weens ’n miskraam en van wie niemand hom nog ooit vertel het nie, ontmoet het. Hy het ook sy pa se oupa ontmoet wat 30 jaar voordat hy gebore is, al oorlede is. Hy het ongelooflike detail oor elkeen vertel waarvan hy onmoontlik kon geweet het. Hy beskryf selfs die “baie groot” stoel waarop God sit. Die verhaal word deur Colton se pa vertel, maar dikwels in Colton se eie woorde. Die boodskap is eenvoudig – die hemel is ’n werklike plek.

"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. Much more than a sports biography, this is the moving, personal story behind the well-loved ‘No. 8’ of South African rugby. With a foreword by Victor Matfield and contributions from Morné Steyn, Bryan Habana and Juan Smith.

As the most capped Springbok ever, Victor Matfield is a national hero who transcends rugby provincialism and has fans across the world. His rugby exploits and achievements are numerous: he was an instrumental part of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he helped win two Tri Nations tournaments for the Boks, he has lifted the Super 14 trophy three times with the Bulls and he has enjoyed Currie Cup glory. In his much-anticipated autobiography, he opens up about his life, from growing up as a shy boy in Pietersburg to moving to Pretoria, where he had to learn the hard way about dealing with the pleasures of life as a talented young rugby player. He talks frankly about his issues with coaches, including his mentor Heyneke Meyer and Jake White, who once tried to physically attack him. Victor also deals with Kamp Staaldraad and other controversies, the challenges rugby poses to his personal life and the sacrifices inherent in the life of a professional sportsman. In this Rugby World Cup year, this is undoubtedly the one book every rugby fan will want to read.