Stellenbosch Academy Of Sport Join Forces With Boland Rugby Union In A Landmark Deal For Boland Rugby
Stellenbosch Academy Of Sport Join Forces With Boland Rugby Union In A Landmark Deal For Boland Rugby. The Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd is proud to announce a transformative equity partnership with Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (“SAS”), a subsidiary of Remgro Limited, and a Consortium comprising companies controlled by the Motsepe family (“Motsepe Consortium”).
This partnership is poised to redefine the future of rugby in the Boland region at amateur and professional levels, a talent-rich area with over 200 registered amateur rugby clubs, making it one of the largest rugby unions in South Africa.
The new partnership will have the Motsepe Consortium and SAS own 74% of the Boland rugby professional arm with the Boland Rugby Union retaining 26%. The new partners will have a collaborative arrangement to cultivate a shared commitment to providing substantial resources and expertise to support the Boland Rugby Union’s growth and development initiatives.
“Today’s announcement symbolises a powerful commitment to grassroots rugby development and the advancement of rugby in our region,” said Mr Bennie van Rooi, President of the Boland Rugby Union. “Our partnership with the SAS and Motsepe Consortium aligns perfectly with our mission to empower local communities through sports and unearth the vast potential of our young athletes. This partnership will empower and enable us to provide world-class resources to our players, coaches, and management teams. The amazing sponsorship and investment from Sanlam, Vumatel, and Santam compounds this.”
The Motsepe Consortium and SAS, two prominent names in the world of sports and business, emphasised their commitment to grassroots rugby development and the advancement of rugby in the Boland region. Boland has the most rugby-playing schools for any province in South Africa. Their investment signifies a strong belief in the potential of young talent and the importance of empowering local communities through sport. This announcement also marks the significant move of the appointment of the new CEO of Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd, Mr Quintin van Rooyen, following his serving for nearly two years as the CEO of Boland Rugby Union.
“This partnership is about more than just rugby; it’s about investing in the future of this region and nurturing the incredible talent at the grassroots level,” said Dr Johan van Zyl, a representative of the Motsepe consortium. “We believe in the power of partnership and are proud to join hands with the Boland Rugby Union on this journey. Our ambition is to create a professional environment and team that retains the talent within the Boland regions. The sponsorship of Sanlam, Santam, and Vumatel will add value in the retention, growth, and nurturing of the local talent in the Boland.”
The Boland Rugby Union is excited to build on the success of the 2023 season, where the Boland Kavaliere secured the Currie Cup First Division title for the sixth time. This historic achievement serves as a testament to the region’s rugby prowess and sets the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future. “We are excited to be part of this incredible journey with the Boland Rugby Union,” said Neil de Kock, CEO of SAS. “This partnership emphasises the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level and providing the necessary resources for these young athletes to reach their full potential, and this was proven earlier this year when the Boland Kavaliere won the Currie Cup First Division. SAS is a proudly Boland business and we are proud to be part of this great union. We have seen the power of investment and partnership in the Boland region with the top Premier League Soccer (PSL) club, Stellenbosch Football Club (FC). Welcome also to Sanlam, Santam, and Vumatel as our partners in this journey.”
Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial services group on the African continent; Vumatel, a trusted provider of high-speed fibre connectivity; and Santam, the leading short-term insurer in South Africa, will all have their logos prominently displayed on all Boland Rugby Union kits, marketing materials, and digital content. This collaboration with Sanlam as the main sponsor, and Vumatel and Santam as the supporting sponsors, underscores their commitment to fostering the growth and development of rugby in the Boland region.
Karl Socikwa, Group Executive Market Development at Sanlam, says sport is a profound socio-economic catalyst. “We are immensely excited about the impact this new collaboration will have. Sanlam’s promise is to help people throughout the African continent to live confidently, and we fully recognise the seminal role that sports can play in helping us keep this promise.”
