The Nelson Mandela Foundation has partnered with Cricket South Africa and the South African Rugby Union to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of the beloved former president, Nelson Mandela.
On Friday, December 5, 2014, the Ticketpro Proteas will host the Springboks in a 20-over-a-side cricket match at Bidvest Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The match starts at 18h30 and will be televised on SuperSport 2. Tickets range from R90 to R200 and can be bought online by visiting www.ticketpro.co.za.
The national cricket team hosted its rugby counterparts in front of a full house at Newlands in Cape Town at the start of the year. In a high-scoring match, the Proteas won by 14 runs after posting 188 in their 20 overs.
The Springbok squad for next Friday’s match includes some of the men who will be doing battle against Wales this weekend, as well as recently retired players who excelled at cricket in their youth, such as Butch James and Tiaan Liebenberg. Returning star performers from the Cape Town clash include 37-year-old Victor Matfield (who scored 23 runs from 23 balls), the 120kg Willem Alberts (who took two wickets in two balls and made some superb saves in the field) as well as star fullback Willie le Roux (who scored 16 runs from 8 balls).
“With two of our best national sports teams meeting each other, I can’t think of a better way to honour one of the world’s greatest leaders,” says Haroon Lorgat, Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa. “This will be another memorable day for all South Africans.”
“We have chosen the best available team, which we believe will do justice to this very important occasion that goes beyond the game of cricket,” comments CSA selection convener, Andrew Hudson.
Jurie Roux, Chief Executive of the South African Rugby Union, says it is the duty of all South Africans to continue the legacy of Nelson Mandela. “He worked tirelessly to bring people together from different communities and in a small way this sporting celebration of his contribution to South Africa does that in a symbolic way. The fact that a donation will be made to his Foundation is our contribution to continuing that work.”
Other festivities at Wanderers on December 5 include live music, a hit-a-six competition, a kicking competition, signing sessions with selected members of both teams and much more.
Springbok squad: Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield, Damien de Allende, Tiaan Liebenberg, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux, Francois Hougaard, Bismarck du Plessis, Duane Vermeulen, Butch James, Willem Aberts, Handré Pollard, Jan Serfontein. Manager: Flip van der Merwe.
Ticketpro Proteas squad: Hashim Amla (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain), Farhaan Behardien (The Unlimited Titans), Quinton de Kock (bizhub Highveld Lions), Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins), David Miller (Sunfoil Dolphins), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Robin Peterson (Nashua Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Chevrolet Knights), Mthokozisi Shezi (Nashua Cape Cobras), Dale Steyn (Nashua Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (bizhub Highveld Lions). Coach: AB de Villiers. Manager: Faf du Plessis.