The Springboks will play all four of the ‘Home Unions’in November as part of their end-of-year tour. SARU made the announcement today (Friday, January 29, 2010) following confirmation of the fixture programme by the International Rugby Board (IRB).
The Springboks start the tour against Ireland in Dublin on November 6, having accepted an invitation to provide the opposition for hosts Ireland when they officially open the new Aviva Stadium (the redeveloped Lansdowne Road).
The Springboks then play Wales, Scotland and England on the following Saturdays. The tour is planned to end with a fixture against the Barbarians at a venue to be confirmed.
Meanwhile the venue of the Springboks’ season-opening Test against France on June 12 remains undecided. SARU are hoping to meet the local organising committee of the FIFA 2010 World Cup to arrive at a final decision on the availability of the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.
Springbok end-of-year tour fixtures:
Saturday, November 6, Ireland v South Africa (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Saturday, November 13, Wales v South Africa (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Saturday, November 20, Scotland v South Africa (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, November 27, England v South Africa (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, December 4, Barbarians v South Africa (TBC)
Stay close to Howzit-HongKong.com to hear where we in Hong Kong will follow the Springboks on their end-of-year tour… right here in the SAR!
While there’s a bit of a break in the IRB Sevens Series schedule (the Series resumes in New Zealand in the first week of February 2010) I thought I’d refresh your collective memories about our experiences during the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens. For those of you who were parked on the South Stand, this is for you:
The 2010 edition of the Mother of all Sevens: the Hong Kong Sevens returns to the Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay between 26-28 March 2010.
A sokkie is a social dance with a partner popular with some Afrikaners. It is also referred to in Afrikaans as “langarm”, a term used to describe the style of dance at a sokkie. (Wikipedia)
I attended only 2 Sokkies in my lifetime. The first time was many moons ago during Stellenbosch University’s traditional ”Venster Versiering” week (Window Dressing Up). I was a high school senior at the time and my buddies and I thought it was cool to visit the university and see how the other half lives. Sokkies were held in the Neelsie Student Centre in those day.
The second occassion was a couple of years ago in Taipei during the South Africa Day celebrations, hosted by the Consul-General Piet Meyer and his lovely wife. I had recounted to some folks at the last Imbizo in WanChai how much fun this event (in Taipei) was! Remember I cannot dance sokkie-sokkie… but we all enjoyed the occasion. The reason for this I think, was because those of us who have families were allowed to bring everyone to the event. There was some fantastic South African food (yes, regte boerewors, bobotie, etc.!) great company, lekke dancing and the whole family was there to enjoy the occasion.
Well, to make what could be a looong story short, we are planning to organise a Hong Kong Sokkie in the near future. If you’re interested, mail or call me and we’ll put your name on the list.
Remember, I told you I cannot sokkie-sokkie. But fear not, if you’re keen to learn, somebody will show you the ropes. If, like me, you just want to experience another part of our diverse South African culture, this will be the place!
Let’s take from there. More details will follow soon. In the meantime, here’s a teaser:
The South African Association in Hong Kong (SAAHK) will once again be hosting the Springbok Sevens Team just before the start of the 2009 edition of the Hong Kong Sevens. More information to follow soon.
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