The Boland Rugby Union has secured a major coup after the SA Rugby Union announced that Boland will host the 2019 final of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Transnet/Saldanha stadium on Sunday the 23^rd June 2019.

One of the main aims of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge is to take provincial rugby to communities who would not normally have the privilege to see their rugby heroes in action.

Cassie Carstens, chief executive officer of the Boland Rugby Union, said that Boland is delighted to host the final.

“Our sincere thanks and gratitude to Saru and SuperSport for allowing us to host the final. The Boland Rugby Union has 213 registered rugby clubs and can field a total of 492 teams on any given Saturday. We have a rich history and it is no secret that Boland is the flagship union of SA Rugby with regards to rugby development, job creation and club rugby. We are the best-transformed rugby union in South Africa, and we are indeed proud of this achievement.

“The Boland Rugby Union would also like to thank the Saldanha Bay Municipality for their support and the Saldanha Bay Rugby Club for their valuable input, expertise and for helping Boland Rugby to ensure that the SuperSport Rugby Challenge final will be remembered for a very long time.

“On behalf of the president of the Boland Rugby Union, Mr. Ivan Pekeur, the executive and board of directors of Boland Rugby, we welcome the rugby community to Saldanha and the beautiful Cape Province to witness a day of incredible rugby and fun.”

Bertram Vraagom, leader of the special projects team of Saldanha Bay Rugby Club said: “We have successfully staged two Easter Super8 Tournaments and the standard of these tournaments surely played a prominent role in the decision to award this prestigious event to Saldanha Bay Rugby Club. We have certainly raised the bar as far as community rugby is concerned.

“Five years ago, there was nothing on a piece of barren land. Today the Saldanha Stadium is an excellent landmark in a town becoming a major role player in the economy of South Africa. Our thanks to Saru, Boland and SuperSport for bringing a rugby final of note to the community of the West Coast where rugby is undoubtedly the king of sports. The final promises to be a true reflection of West Coast hospitality.”

In the curtain-raisers, all three teams of Saldanha Bay Rugby Club will be in action against Mamre Rugby Club. The senior teams (1^st teams) of Saldanha and Mamre will clash in the main curtain-raiser of the day. This game will also be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Entrance is free and parking will be R20.