Cell C to sponsor Community Cup

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has announced that SA mobile network Cell C will be the sponsors of the Community Cup club rugby competition.

“This is a major new tournament on our rugby calendar and we’re delighted to be able to confirm a major new sponsor as our partner for the competition,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.

The Community Cup competition aims to provide a place and competitive environment for the thriving club rugby scene in South Africa, and Cell C’s three-year deal will help establish the tournament.

Twenty top non-University clubs will battle it out in the inaugural Cell C Community Cup, which kicks of on 16 February 2013.

The first fixture will see the Jonsson College Rovers take on the Eastern Province giants.

Durbanville-Bellville and Pretoria Police are two of the tournaments powerhouses, with wildcard teams, such as Port Elizabeth’s African Bombers and Raiders of Johannesburg, also taking part.

“Club rugby is one of most important items on our agenda and we believe that the Cell C Community Cup will breathe new life into this level of the game,” said Roux.

“Club rugby has suffered from a lack of exposure and sponsorship, since the advent of professionalism. But with the support of Cell C, the Community Cup will give club players and coaches a competitive platform and an aspirational event through which they can reach their goals.”

SARU Community Cup – Automatic Qualifiers: 

Blue Bulls – Pretoria Police
Blue Bulls Limpopo – Noordelikes
Boland – Villagers Worcester
Border – Old Selbornians
Eastern Province – Despatch
Free State – Bloemfontein Police
Golden Lions – Roodepoort
Griffons – Welkom Rovers
Griquas – Sishen
KZN – College Rovers
Leopards – Rustenburg Impala
Mpumalanga – White River
SWD – Evergreens
Valke – Brakpan
Western Province – Durbanville-Bellville

Wild Cards:

African Bombers (Eastern Province)
Bloemfontein Crusaders (Free State)
Raiders (Golden Lions)
Roses United (Boland)
SK Walmers (WP)

Source: SARFU