Cape Town - Boland Rugby Union (Pty) Ltd has sold of 50% of its shareholding in Boland Rugby to a company called Game Plan. This is Game Plan's new vision for Boland Rugby as set out in a press release issued on Monday.

Boland Rugby Union (Pty) Ltd, who owned 100% of Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd to date (the professional arm of Boland Rugby), signed an historic agreement of sale with Timavo Trading (Pty) Ltd t/a Game Plan for the sale of 50% of its shareholding in Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd on Friday, March 26, 2010 at Val de Vie Estate in the Franschhoek valley.

The president of Boland Rugby, Francois Davids and his co-directors Arthrob Peterson, Rian Oberholzer and JD Veldsman had the vision to take Boland Rugby to its rightful position in SA and world rugby with the help of its new business partner, Game Plan.
 
Boland Rugby represents the biggest geographical rugby area in South Africa, consisting of 235 clubs and more than 15 000 players (compare this with the Tonga national team which has 10 000 registered players and is ranked 15th in the world). 

The strongest club in South Africa, the University of Stellenbosch, falls within the geographical area of Boland, as well as four of the top 10 rugby schools of South Africa, namely Paul Roos, Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Boys’ High and Boland Landbou.

Boland Rugby is 100% politically transformed since 1994.

Boland Rugby’s biggest modern day contribution to the sport is the number of Springboks it has produced. Springboks, past and present who learned their trade in the Boland area include among others: Bolla Conradie, Hilton Lobberts, Derick Hougaard, Francois Hougaard, Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, JP Peterson, Andries Bekker, Gurthro Steenkamp, Heini Adams, Sampie Mastriet (Sevens), Danwel Demas (Sevens), Ryno Benjamin (Sevens), Ashley Johnson and Juan de Jongh.

Boland Rugby owns 50% of the Stormers Super Rugby franchise while rugby is the biggest sport in the Boland region.

Game Plan’s shareholders include Boland businessman, Renier Swart, the founder of Game Plan. Swart is a Chartered Accountant with a legal BProc degree. His business achievements include SA Nissan, Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer of the year awards as well as the Pretoria Businessman of the year in 2001. His business interests include property, motor retail and game-and-hunting industry. Renier is a family man with a passion for sport and a lifelong dream to manage and own a successful sports club.

Victor Matfield, the current Springbok vice-captain and Bulls skipper is the second partner in Game Plan. Victor is a legend in world rugby and his achievements include a Rugby World Cup victory in 2007 as vice-captain as well as Super 14 champions in 2007 and 2009 as captain of the Bulls. Victor has been nominated for numerous SA and world player of the year awards. He has also won numerous Currie Cup and other SA rugby competitions. Victor is regarded as the best lock in the world and plays a key role in the Springboks and Bulls’ strategies and training of young players. Victor is a family man and he shares Renier’s vision to lead his own club to success. Victor also has plans to coach after his playing career.

The third shareholder SA Afrikaans pop artist, Kurt Darren. Kurt has 10 solo albums to date, and through the unbelievable support of his fans, his own hard work and popularity in the music industry, this list is destined to grow for many years to come. Kurt is a living example that dedication, perseverance and a passion for what you do, will result in success. Kurt is in addition to being an outstanding artist, an extremely good marketer of which his brand and popularity in SA and the world is evident.  

Current Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is the fourth and final shareholder of Game Plan. Peter played his rugby for Boland in his playing years and hails from Paarl in the Boland. Peter coached the SA Under-19 and Under-21 national teams and has been the Springbok head coach since 2008. In 2009 Peter achieved the remarkable "double" of beating the touring British and Irish Lions as well as winning the Tri-Nations. Peter’s passion is with the development of young rugby talent and he sees the Boland as an area with the biggest potential in SA. Peter is overwhelmed that he can give back to the community of the Boland with his investment in Game Plan and he hopes that he can become involved in player and life skills development after his career with the Springboks.

Game Plan and Boland Rugby Union’s vision for Boland Rugby is:

•  Boland Rugby to take its rightful position in SA rugby. We are of the opinion that Boland Rugby has the means and talent to achieve at the highest level in SA and world rugby
•  Boland Rugby will play a more active role with the Stormers Super Rugby franchise
•  Develop talent and players in the Boland on all levels including life skills, the game of rugby as well as providing for life after rugby
•  The Under-19 and Under-21 teams will be changed from amateur to professional
•  We are going to take the game of rugby to the people of SA and we are going to make the game more accessible for all South Africans
•  Investigate the possibilities to use the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums to their full potential after the tournament
•  Bring our Boland rugby players home
•  Daily communication with all our supporters