The Carlton league finalists and Loftus 200 team will have the opportunity to test their mettle against quality international opposition when Israeli side, the Tel Aviv Heat, will tour South Africa during March 2022 and play three matches against ABE Midas Naka Bulle, Northam Rhinos and Loftus 200!

According to Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, this is a great opportunity to reward the best semi-professional players in the Bulls club structures.

“Club rugby is a priority of our administration and in which all of our stakeholders, shareholders, Jake White, Edgar Rathbone, and sponsors, etc. has bought into,” said Strauss.

The Tel Aviv Heat competes in the Europe Super Cup Competition and has a number of South Africans such as Josh Strauss and Nic Groom, among others, playing for them. The team is also coached by a South African, Kevin Musikanth, who led the Ikeys to Varsity Cup glory in 2014.

“It’s truly fantastic to be able to be invited by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union to tour and give our talented squad exposure in one of the strongest rugby regions globally. This will be an amazing momentum-builder for our new franchise as we prepare for the upcoming Rugby Europe Super Cup season,” said Musikanth when the short tour was announced.

According to Musikanth his team cannot wait to play against top clubs and, of course, the opportunity to play against the Loftus 200 team as a tour finale.

“We are very grateful for this opportunity from the Blue Bulls Rugby Union,” he concluded.

The teams will contest the Robert Denton Cup in honour of the late Blue Bulls Rugby Union administrator who recently passed away.

The coaching staff for the Loftus 200 team consists of Morné Human from ABE Midas Naka Bulle (Head Coach), Flip de Kock (Northam Rhinos) and Danie “Tokkelos” Coetzee (former Bulls and Springbok hooker) who is involved with Tuine Grizzlies Rugby Club.

The itinerary for the Tel Aviv Heat is as follows:

• 19 March versus Northam Rhinos at Northam
• 23 March versus ABE Midas Naka Bulle at Naka Bulle
• 26 March versus Loftus 200 at Loftus Versfeld

According to Dr Eugene Hare, Chief Executive Officer of the BBRU, the 2022 addition of the Carlton League will kick-off on the 7 May 2022.

“After last season’s thrilling competition, we look forward to another exciting competition this year,” said Hare.

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