Mpumalanga Rhinos find a new home
The MEC for culture, sports and recreation, Thandi Shongwe, has described the move by the Mpumalanga Rhinos to White River as a boon for cricket development and the local economy.
Shongwe was speaking at the official launch of the Rhinos’ 2021/22 campaign at Uplands College in White River, in which the side will play in Division 2 of the new set-up of South Africa’s first-class cricket.
The Rhinos are one of 15 sides divided into two tiers. The new dawn of the sport will see more first-class matches televised.
The Rhinos’ home ground will be the White River Country Club (WRCC). “The Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation welcomes the decision taken by the Mpumalanga Cricket Union (MCU) to move the Rhinos to White River and the plans the union has in store to grow and develop this gentlemen’s game. The initiative will inspire cricketers in rural communities to take up the sport,” said Shongwe, adding that the department would throw its support behind the team.
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The Rhinos have joined the likes of New Nation Pumas (rugby) and TS Galaxy (soccer), who have relocated to the City of Mbombela Shongwe said she was encouraged by the commitment from the MCU president, Craig Nel, on transformation. Nel said, “We want to make the sport inclusive to all the people of Mpumalanga, and having a firstclass team will go a long way in helping us achieve this goal.” He added that work will soon begin at the WRCC to turn it into a world-class venue with a capacity of 5 000 spectators. Rhinos contracted players for the new season, including Glen Adams, Yassar Cook, Rubin Hermann, Jon Hinrichsen, Luvuyo Knese, Alex Kok, Tumelo Koto, Liam Peters, Blake Schraader, Benjamin van Niekerk and Bamanye Xenxe.
