Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo

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Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo pens rugby hero novel

Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo has brought to life an action-packed world of rugby and intrigue in his book the Rise of the Dagger.

Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo

Image supplied.

Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo has teamed up with Elvis Jack to write a novel called The Rise of the Dagger – What Happens in a Rugby Story When Life Interrupts?

The book marries some of Bobo’s experiences playing rugby with elements of fantasy action elements that appear to be heavily inspired by Japanese anime. The main character is a Xhosa rugby player who inexplicably speaks Japanese, named Xolile Dalindyebo.

A press release issued by Bulabuka explains the basic premise of the book.

“Xolile comes out of nowhere to play rugby explosively. His history is uncertain but the fans love him. He is small yet very strong, electrifyingly fast with an intelligent sidestep and an instinct for the game.

“He connives an arrangement with a divorced maverick journalist to construct his public persona, carefully using Twitter to project his image and to protect his past.

“The book has twists and turns. It has all the behind-the-scenes sports drama the public is often not privy to – sex scandals, race conflicts, sabotage.

“As Xolile Dalindyebo’s popularity increases, his role within the team grows stronger after some inner club maneuvering.

“In parallel with this, Xolile embarks on a series of reconnaissance visits to unlikely places to recruit extra players, a bit like the search for special skills in the Magnificent Seven film. With extra talent and a slew of new tactics on the field, this could finally be the year of the Lions…

“But nothing is as it seems in the world of rugby and Xolile’s past may still return to haunt him and the team.”

Bobo retired from professional rugby in 2011 and has since become a popular member of Supersport’s commentary team.

Interested parties can read first three chapters of the book for free right here.

‘The Rise of the Dagger’ is available at Exclusive Books stores and online at Amazon, iBookstore, and Kobo.co.za.