The South African Rugby Union today announced that the Springboks will play Guinness Premiership log leaders Saracens at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, November 17 as part of their Vodacom Outgoing Tour schedule.
The midweek fixture at the 94,000-seat stadium is in addition to Tests against France, Italy and Ireland and a tour opener against Leicester Tigers.
Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby, said: “Many South Africans have been excited by Saracens’ outstanding start to the season, and we look forward to playing our full part in what will be a great evening for our players and coaches, and also the large expatriate South African community in London and south-east England.”
The South African squad will travel to London after playing France in Toulouse on Saturday November 14 and will then move on to Udine, where they play Italy on Saturday November 21.
“This is sure to be another fantastic occasion,” said Saracens chairman Nigel Wray. “The Springboks are indisputably the No.1 team in the world at the moment, and it will be tremendous honour and a privilege for us to welcome them at Wembley, our new home from home in north London.”
Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic year so far, and this match – against an in-form club team at one of the great stadiums in the world – will certainly become yet another highlight in this memorable season.
“Overseas tours always provide us with an opportunity to expose our emerging young talents to the international game and this will be a fantastic platform through which to do that. We expect Saracens to be tough but also believe in the abilities of our squad.”
Saracens are coached by former Vodacom Stormers and Vodacom Western Province coach Brendan Venter. He said: “This is yet more evidence of our club’s ambitions. I can assure you our players will need no extra motivation for this match.”
If you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll be in London then, tickets will be available through Ticketmaster as www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
I’ve seen the Christiane Amanpour interview advertised on CNN last week, but couldn’t watch it on CNN live. The South African President was in New York for the UN Assembly and G20 Meeting and CNN took the opportunity to interview Zuma.
However, I did pick up the interview (in 3 parts) off YouTube. Here, if you missed it (you can link to parts 2-3 off the related videos after part 1):
I live in an apartment complex owned by Cheung Kong Holdings. As such, I cannot subscribe to NowTV nor any PCCW products because Cheung Kong is in direct competition with Richard Li’s PCCW. However, I still have an excellent broadband service so much of my (international) television viewing happens online.
Thankfully, I have a connection (I am from Cape Town after all… we have connections!) who allows me to stream some DSTV channels direct to my laptop. Thanks to an interface, I can view these channels directly on my flat-screen TV.
I visited my favourite watering hole in WanChai the other day and the staff there were asking why they don’t see me these days. Well, now you know. I now have access to SuperSport’s excellent channels, while the missus loves watching the BBC Lifestyle & Travel channels again. The kids are stoked at having their Nickelodeon back!
So, see ya! I have to go and watch the Currie Cup and Champions Trophy Cricket in the comfort of my lounge! I even have my very own (Jake White) “fetcher” !
Today is Heritage Day in South Africa. Wikipedia defines it as follows:
Heritage Day, September 24, is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.
Here in my apartment in Hong Kong, as things go in Asia, my kids are swamped daily with studies and other school-related issues. However, as it is Heritage Day, I had them finish their homework early and right now, they are enjoying the David Kramer DVD called SongBook.
You may remember that David was part of the most dynamic and internationally recognised duo of David Kramer & Taliep Petersen. Together they produced the much-acclaimed musicals District Six and Ghoema, to name only two.
On a recent trip home, this DVD became one of my most cherished purchases. As a committed follower of Cape Town music (especially the unique genres known as Cape Jazz and Ghoema) it is one of a set of treasured items also because it helps me to explain to my kids, who basically grew up in Asia, where their forefathers came from what our culture is all about.
If you know anything about the Kramer/Petersen musicals, you will remember that it talks, through the music, about the people who arrived at the Dutch halfway station (as Cape Town was known back in the days) from as far afield as Malaysia/Java, Madagascar, Batavia, India and yes… even China. They know about these places because of the songs in the musical. In this unique way, SongBook is aiding the Missus and I to explain to our 2 little ones our equally unique cultural issues in a clearer and more fun way. What makes this task all the more easy is the fact that our kids naturally took to this kind of music like ducks to water. It is, after all… in their genes! Right now my 9-year old son is spraying furniture polish on the lounge tiles so that he “can jive better!” (his words, not mine)
On this Heritage Day, I can just say thank you to David Kramer and (even after your sad passing) Shukran to Taliep Petersen. Not only for making my job as an expatriate father so much easier, but also for what you have done to keep the Cape Town and by extension, the South African culture alive.
CSA recently confirmed to Howzit-HongKong.com that the national body will send a competitive side to this year’s HK Sixes. So, to make sure that you’re one of the thousands who will be watching from the stands at the Kowloon Cricket Club next month, here’s your chance to get your ticket.
Tickets are now available online at HK Ticketing and other ticket sales outlets. For the first time ever patrons will be able to purchase single day tickets if they cannot make it to Kowloon for the whole weekend.
Ticket Prices are as follows:
Package: Adult HK$680 Child HK$380
One-day tickets:
Saturday: Adult HK$300 Child HK$180
Sunday: Adult HK$470 Child HK$220
Be aware that single day tickets are only available through HK Ticketing.
The 2009 Sixes will feature defending champions England, alongside Australia (2008 runners-up ), India (headlined by Anil Kumble), New Zealand, South Africa (2007 champions), Sri Lanka, Pakistan and hosts Hong Kong (who finished in their best ever fourth place over-all last year).
Tournament organisers announced that the eight teams will contest the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes in two Groups:
Southern Hemisphere:
Hong Kong, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Northern Hemisphere:
England, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
(Video: Announcing the 2 Groups for the 2009 HK Sixes)
Playmore, a Hong Kong-based sports apparel brand, will outfit the eight squads in dynamic new team kits, while the event has once again received the coveted “M Mark” status from the Hong Kong Government denoting its status as a “Major Event” for the city.
Captain Shahzada Saleem Ahmed, President of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, commented:
“The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is one of cricket’s most exciting tournaments, something that that the ICC has acknowledged with our participation in its “Catch the Spirit” celebrations in 2009.
This year, we are confident of seeing another extremely competitive Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and are delighted to announce that the first step in that process is Anil Kumble returning to Hong Kong, where he was incredibly popular in 2007.”
(Video: Captain Saleem presides over the media launch)
The Hong Kong Cricket Association today announced that ticket prices for the 2009 edition of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes will be reduced to allow more fans to attend the cricket spectacular at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
Tournament Director Mark Burns told a packed media launch at the Club that, for the first time, adult fans will be allowed to purchase single-day passes at HK$300 (Saturday) and HK$470 (Sunday). Kids’ single-day passes will cost HK$180 (Saturday) and HK$220 (Sunday).
Tournament organisers have also revised ticket prices for 2009 with two-day passes at HK$680 (adults) and HK$380 for children. This translates to a 13% saving on an adult pass and 15% on a children’s pass.
The 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes takes place at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) between October 31 and November 1.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes will welcome one of the sport’s biggest names to it’s annual carnival of elite cricket, when Anil Kumble plays for traditional crowd favourites India at the Kowloon Cricket Club from October 31 to November 1, 2009.
(Pic: only-for-cricket.blogspot.com)
First played in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the longest-running international tournament of its kind and will this year celebrate its 15th edition. As such, the Sixes has been included by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a “Catch the Spirit” event to celebrate the global governing body’s centenary celebrations.
Kumble, India’s leading wicket taker in both test and one-day cricket, is one of the legends of the international games. Ranked third amongst all-time Test wicket-takers with 619 dismissals, the 38-year-old leg-spinner is also an inspirational captain. Under his leadership, the Royal Challengers Bangalore reached the IPL final in 2009, held in South Africa.
Kumble, who played at the Sixes two years ago, said: “I am looking forward to returning to Hong Kong for one of the most exciting sporting events in the world. I had a great time in 2007 and to play here once again is very exciting for me.”
Howzit-HongKong.com echoes the HK Cricket Association by saying:
