Investment secures the future of KZN rugby

A multi-million Rand investment is strengthening KwaZulu-Natal rugby from the roots upward.

The investment by Fidelity Security, made to the Cell C Sharks and the KZN Rugby Union (KZNRU) at the end of March, means the next Pat Lambie or Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira could hail from Newcastle and surrounds.

For local club, Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders, the news of the investment is a welcome relief.

Commenting on the announcement, which will bolster provincial rugby structures for the next three years, Highlanders’ head coach, André Swanepoel said the future of KZN clubs had now been secured.

“The sponsorship will help the clubs in KZN a lot, as the cost to run a club is very high.”

Mr Swanepoel added local rugby clubs were fortunate to have the financial backing of the Sharks and KZNRU, the only bodies to offer grants to assist with the development of the game and players.

In the words of the Sharks, the team’s success and foundation lie partially in local clubs and players from across KZN.

The grants, read a recent press release issued by the Sharks, have helped unearth calibre players such as Lambie, Mtawarira, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski and Fred Zeilinga.

“It is essential that the grassroots level of the game maintains a professional and competitive edge, honing talent that will go on to make up a successful provincial team,” explained Sharks CEO, John Smit, himself a celebrated Sharks and Springbok hooker.

Jake White, the Director of Rugby at the Sharks, added club rugby was important to him.

“I want to watch two local club sides playing each other, and I want it to be competitive.”

Mr White said it was necessary to create a powerful club competition within the province, a primary reason behind the Sharks’ attempts to give clubs the backing they deserved.

The support of Fidelity Security has been applauded by rugby stalwarts, including Wahl Bartmann, the CEO of Fidelity Security.

Mr Bartmann, a former Springbok and captain of Natal, enthused about the strong alliance between the Fidelity Group and KZNRU, stating this would assist in building a sustainable platform to allow for both short- and long-term development of rugby in South Africa.

Local clubs now eagerly await instruction on how exactly they will benefit from the investment.

“The cost of taxi fare for players to and from the township areas is in the region of R3 000 a month,” Mr Swanepoel concluded.