Community Cup kicks off
DEFENDING Cell C Community Cup champions GAP Management Despatch and Roodepoort will open this year's Cell C Community Cup Easter Play-offs at 11.15am today at Outeniqua Park in George.
South Africa's top eight club rugby teams will do battle for the historic Gold Cup.
GAP Management Despatch, Roodepoort, Hamiltons, Jonsson College Rovers, Kempston Old Selbornians, Refreshhh! Centurion, Roses United and Rustenburg Impala will participate in the tournament, which reaches a climax on Monday, April 21, with the cup final.
All 12 fixtures will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Four of the teams participated in the inaugural tournament last year, while Hamiltons, Kempston Old Selbornians, Refreshhh! Centurion and Roses United will make their debut.
"It is fitting that the defending champions will kick off the second edition of the Cell C Community Cup," Saru Chief Executive Jurie Roux said.
"This will add to the excitement around the event and the atmosphere at Outeniqua Park, where fans will have the luxury of seeing the best domestic club teams in action.
"In the last few months 20 teams have gone head to head for places in the Cell C Community Cup Easter Play-offs and the top teams will now have the opportunity to prove that they have what it takes to be crowned the champions.
"Saru and tournament hosts South Western Districts Rugby have been working hard in the last few months to ensure that the tournament is a success, so this is an exciting time for us and for club rugby in South Africa," Roux said.
Last year's runners-up, Jonsson College Rovers, will meet newcomers Kempston Old Selbornians in the second match at 1.30pm, while Roses United will take on Rustenburg Impala at 3.45pm and Hamiltons go up against Refreshhh! Centurion at 6pm in the final match of the day.
"I wish all eight teams good luck for the tournament, and I hope the sides participating in the Cell C Community Cup Easter Playoffs for the first time will enjoy this experience," Roux said. "With all the matches being broadcast on SuperSport this is a fantastic opportunity for the teams to showcase their talent and the quality of club rugby in South Africa."
