Jonathan Bell Publishers has confirmed it does not intend to withdraw the revised version of the unauthorised biography about Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
Written by Jeremy Daniel, the book titled Siya Kolisi, Against All Odds, was initially published before the 2019 World Cup. But following Kolisi and the Boks’ World Cup win, the publisher has since released an updated version of the book, including the cover photo of the South African skipper hoisting the Webb Ellis cup.
However, the updated cover also clarifies that it is an ‘unauthorised’ biography.
On Thursday, Kolisi’s wife Rachel, lashed out at the author and publishers on her Instagram page, saying ‘white men’ continue ‘benefiting off the back of a black man’.
On Friday, publishing director at Jonathan Bell, Jeremy Boraine told Sport24 the updated book will not be recalled from the shelves.
‘We’ve taken note of their unhappiness though we’re not withdrawing the book,’ Boraine said. ‘As publisher, Jonathan Bell believes we’ve done nothing wrong.’
‘Unauthorised biographies are a well recognised literary genre. Publishers do it all over the world and is focused especially on sports stars, politicians and celebrities,’ he added.
Photo: Gallo Images
