LUSCIOUS green grass and capacious white tents set the precedent for what is sure to be a decadent affair. On Saturday, the Queen Mother of the Royal Bafokeng nation, Dr Semane Molotlegi, will host a celeb-studded charity polo match.
A slew of national and international celebrities and royals are expected to be in attendance and will spend the afternoon rubbing elbows with royalty and high society.
The multi-million-rand extravaganza is being billed as one of South Africa's "social events of the decade".
The event is the answer to the British Queen's annual Cup Polo event.
Taking place at the Royal Marang Hotel at Phokeng in North West, the event will feature top international, South African and African polo players, going head to head in two matches, in association with Motsweding FM, La Martina and Aveng Grinaker-LTA.
According to the organisers, much like Twenty20 cricket attracted new fans to the game, so has action polo. The game will be played to new, adapted rules, which make the game much faster and more exciting. Matches of three players a side are played on smaller grass fields that are fully boarded all around.
Making up the invitation teams of star-studded polo players are the only semi-professional, and highest ranked black South African polo player, Sbu Duma; the youngest South African international, 15-year-old Dirk van Reenen; plus three highly ranked players from the same family.
The curtain raiser is a three-a-side match featuring two international women who have represented both South Africa and Zimbabwe, playing alongside top male international players, including Kenyan Casamir Gross.
The main game features six highly handicapped young international South African players, most of whom play in England and are not seen locally that often.
Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng said this was the first time action polo would be played in the North West.
"We are honoured to be hosting this at the Royal Marang Hotel, and privileged that by doing so we will be able to raise funds for much needy charities."
Proceeds from the cup will go to The Girl Guides Association of SA and Thuto Thebe Educational Fund.
First for North West
LUSCIOUS green grass and capacious white tents set the precedent for what is sure to be a decadent affair. On Saturday, the Queen Mother of the Royal Bafokeng nation, Dr Semane Molotlegi, will host a celeb-studded charity polo match.
A slew of national and international celebrities and royals are expected to be in attendance and will spend the afternoon rubbing elbows with royalty and high society.
The multi-million-rand extravaganza is being billed as one of South Africa's "social events of the decade".
The event is the answer to the British Queen's annual Cup Polo event.
Taking place at the Royal Marang Hotel at Phokeng in North West, the event will feature top international, South African and African polo players, going head to head in two matches, in association with Motsweding FM, La Martina and Aveng Grinaker-LTA.
According to the organisers, much like Twenty20 cricket attracted new fans to the game, so has action polo. The game will be played to new, adapted rules, which make the game much faster and more exciting. Matches of three players a side are played on smaller grass fields that are fully boarded all around.
Making up the invitation teams of star-studded polo players are the only semi-professional, and highest ranked black South African polo player, Sbu Duma; the youngest South African international, 15-year-old Dirk van Reenen; plus three highly ranked players from the same family.
The curtain raiser is a three-a-side match featuring two international women who have represented both South Africa and Zimbabwe, playing alongside top male international players, including Kenyan Casamir Gross.
The main game features six highly handicapped young international South African players, most of whom play in England and are not seen locally that often.
Princess Tirelo Molotlegi of the Royal Bafokeng said this was the first time action polo would be played in the North West.
"We are honoured to be hosting this at the Royal Marang Hotel, and privileged that by doing so we will be able to raise funds for much needy charities."
Proceeds from the cup will go to The Girl Guides Association of SA and Thuto Thebe Educational Fund.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos