It is merely days until the fifth Saldanha Super 8 Easter Tournament.
“Bigger and better” are the words organisers used to describe this year’s event. The official launch took place on Friday 15 March at the Saldanha Bay Hotel, with team captains, sponsors and other dignitaries present.
This year the Easter Tournament will take place from Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April, with the anticipation of many making their way to Saldanha giving an economic boost to the town. Teams participating include the hosts Saldanha as well as Safcol, Velddrif, Helderberg, Barberton, Gardens, Grootbrak and Raiders.
The draw determining which teams will play together decided the Saldanha Rugby Club will go head-to-head with Gardens, Grootbrak with Barberton, Raiders with Helderberg and Safcol with Velddrif, all competing for the Louis Scheepers trophy. It was named after the late Municipal Manager of Saldanha Bay Municipality, who died in 2021.
In his speech Bertram Vraagom, director of the tournament, said when it was first launched in 2018 the organisers didn’t think the tournament would become the powerful, vibrant and much-loved event it has among sport lovers. “It has indeed become quite a festive event on the annual calendar,” he said. Vraagom acknowledged all sponsors who are on board and endorsed the value of building relationships.
He reminded the players that it is not all about the cup, but being an ambassador for their community and club, wishing them all the best. The tournament will also be broadcast on SuperSport for those who will not be able to take their place in the pavilions.