Every community has a sports reporter like this; someone who can be one with the sorrows and joys of sports people.  They become the voice of winning or losing. We listen to them, because they were there. Every weekend, come sunshine, rain or hail, they are armed with notebook and sunscreen.

This description fits the Potchefstroom Herald’s Wouter Pienaar to a T.  His pen rakes in the prizes, as does his camera.

Wouter’s first sports book, 89 Minute van Glorie, is being launched on 26 September at the Elgro Hotel in Potchefstroom. This book tells the story of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) 2016 Varsity Cup rugby tournament, and what a story!

Wouter takes his readers on a journey from the very beginning to the terrible, nerve-racking end. It is a good and an insightful read with beautiful colour photos adorning the 78 pages, encapsulating all the emotions.

Why 89 Minute van Glorie? Because the final against Maties in Stellenbosch was not one for faint-hearted supporters or those with stomach ulcers. The NWU camped out on the Maties try line for nearly 10 minutes, but there was no question of getting through or of penalty tries. That was until Marno Redelinghuys dived over for the winning try and Rhyno Smith’s conversion was successful.

Wouter conducted interviews with coach Jonathan Mokuena, with the management team, with the players involved, and even with the referee, Lourens van der Merwe, who handled the whistle for the final.

This book gives a full picture of an unforgettable journey, and the bookshelves of sports lovers will be proud to accommodate 89 Minute van Glorie.

Contact Wouter Pienaar at wouter.Pienaar@media24.com for more information.   

Wouter Pienaar’s first sports book, 89 Minute van Glorie, tells the story of the NWU’s 2016 Varsity Cup rugby tournament.