THE table is set for club rugby to get under way in and around Johannesburg when Cell C Community Cup kicks off.
Once again some 20 sides will feature in what is becoming the revival of community rugby in the suburbs.
The third edition of the Cell C Community Cup will start on February 21. The big rewards announced once again for the top performers in this year’s national championship for non-university clubs, is that the matches will receive live broadcast, which is a first for club rugby in South Africa.
Once again a selection of players will make their way to England to experience and be involved at some of the clubs in the UK. Deputy British High Commissioner, Peter Boxer, said: “We are proud to be involved in SARU’s international exchange programme and would like to build on what we achieved in 2014. Last year, player of the year Michael Nienaber spent time at Premiership side Gloucester, while coach of the year Alistair Alexander and manager of the year Steve Prinsloo went to Sale Sharks. Young player of the year Chaney Willemse has just returned after a three-month stint at Scottish club Selkirk.
“It was an unforgettable experience for all involved, and we will aim to reveal similar rewards in due course for this year’s performers.”
The 20 club sides will play in four pools of five in a Rugby World Cup-style format.
After the group stage, which encompasses 40 matches at club venues across South Africa, the top two teams from each pool will progress to the Easter play-offs, which will be held this year at Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club from April 2 to 6.
Apart from television coverage – at least 14 matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport – four matches will be broadcast live on regional radio as the tournament steps up a gear in terms of coverage across all platforms and reaches further into far-flung rugby communities.
In the past two years South African clubs have experienced a revival of the interest posed on club level, and this has brought about the revival of club rugby as experienced years ago.
Cell C’s Executive Head: Marketing, Dr Doug Mattheus, said, “Since coming on board in 2013 as title sponsors, we’ve seen interest build around club rugby and it’s something special to be a part of. We’re also very excited to see the tournament move to Rustenburg for the Easter weekend, which will add a new dimension.”
