After quarrelling with the head coach, The wake forest demon deacons key player departed from the team.
The Boland Rugby Union is thrilled to announce Sanlam, Vumatel, Tekkie Town, Santam, and Umbro as sponsors for the upcoming Sanlam Boland Top 12 Rugby Competition, starting on October 21, 2023.
This competition stands as a testament to the Boland Rugby Union’s commitment to recognizing rugby talent and excellence. With 216 registered clubs, 481 teams, and over 18,000 players across 13 municipalities in the Boland, it holds the distinction of being South Africa’s largest rugby union in terms of players, clubs, schools, and geographical coverage.
To illustrate the vast reach of the Boland Rugby Union, consider that the two farthest towns in the Sanlam Boland Top 12, Hawston and Vanrhynsdorp, are approximately 382 km apart, a nearly five-hour drive.
The Boland Rugby’s Grootuitdaag division features twelve teams from six regions during the regular season: Weskus, Witsentraal, Overberg, Breelangeberg, Swartland, and Noordweste. The top two clubs from each region qualify for the Sanlam Boland Top 12. Reigning champions Saldanha and Mamre, along with other notable teams, will compete for the title.
This significant sponsorship deal follows Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd’s equity deal with Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (“SAS”) and a consortium led by companies controlled by the Motsepe family.
These partnerships reflect the enduring support of these proudly South African brands for rugby’s growth in the Boland region. The Sanlam Boland Top 12 is not only South Africa’s largest but also most attended club competition, expected to draw over 200,000 supporters to 33 matches.
“We are thrilled to have Sanlam as our main sponsor, along with Vumatel, Tekkie Town, Santam, and Umbro as key sponsors for the Sanlam Boland Top 12 Competition. Their commitment to nurturing talent and sportsmanship perfectly aligns with Boland Rugby’s values,” said Mr. Bennie van Rooi, president of the Boland Rugby Union.
This competition serves as a prime platform for discovering emerging talent, with players like Jaiden Baron, Shilton van Wyk, and Gurshwin Wehr of the South Africa Men’s Sevens team having previously showcased their skills in the Sanlam Boland Top 12.
