SA TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND

SA TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND:

South Africa will take on the mighty New Zealanders in their own back yard in a once off international on 9th February 2013. New Zealand traditionally invite a high goal polo team to compete in their sponsored “International Day” which takes place annually at the KihiKihi Polo Club not far from Auckland.

South Africa will field a 26 goal team comprising the following players:
No. 1 - Duncan Watson (5 goals)
No. 2 - Jean du Plessis (6 goals)
No. 3 - Nachi du Plessis (8 goals) (Captain)
No. 4 - Tom de Bruin (7 goals)

This will be one of the highest rated teams to leave our shores and with all four players still in their early twenties, South African polo looks set for many years to come. All four players have had international experience with de Bruin and the two du Plessis brothers representing South Africa in the Coronation Cup last year against England. Duncan Watson did duty for South Africa against India in the BMW International Series in August 2012 where the home side took the Series 2-0.

New Zealand will field an equivalent 26 goal team, spear headed by the experienced JP Clarkin playing off 8 goals - the rivalry between these two countries goes back many years with New Zealand winning their last tour to South Africa (BMW International Series in 2010) two to zero. However, the South African team is a lot stronger and more experienced this time around and should take it to the Kiwi’s provided they get adequately mounted.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR TO CHINA

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR TO CHINA:

The South African polo team depart for Beijing (China) tonight to take part in the Federation of International Polo’s World Cup Snow Polo tournament. The event takes place at the Golding Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin (approximately two hours drive from Beijing) with 12 nations competing for the World Snow Polo trophy.

The South African team consists of Tom de Bruin (7 goals) Chris MacKenzie (5 goals) and Lance Watson (4 goals) with Terence Spilsbury (4 goals) travelling as reserve. Competition will be intense but the team has plenty of experience and a pedigree to get to the finals. Tom de Bruin was in last year’s team that lost to Hong Kong in the final while Chris MacKenzie (son of former SA team captain Buster MacKenzie) is used to big occasions having played in Britain’s high goal league for the past two seasons.

Snow polo is played on a smaller field - hence only three players per team as opposed to the normal four. Conditions in China are bitterly cold with temperatures up to -12 during the day. Warm clothing is the order of the day with players needing thermal under clothing and gloves to keep warm during play. Horses are all shod with normal shoes but have studs all round to give better grip in the snow.

Countries taking part in the tournament are last year’s winners, Hong Kong, Argentine, England, USA, India, France, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. the tournament takes place over two weeks with the finals being contested on Sunday 3rd February.