Castle Lager Springbok Showdown to kick-start local season next month

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The battle lines are being drawn for a Castle Lager Springbok Showdown, which will pit the best local stars and top, up-and-coming talent against each other on 3 October, as SA Rugby announced its plans today to reignite an exciting four-month local season.

Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids will coach Springbok Green versus Gold teams for the match at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday 3 October, with Rassie Erasmus (Director of Rugby) and Jacques Nienaber (Springbok coach) acting as the two Team Commissioners.

The selection process will take the form of a draft pick from an enlarged squad of 60 players with Green and Gold team bosses taking alternate turns in an old-style ‘schoolyard pick’ to assemble their match-day squads of 25 players each.

The drama will unfold live on SuperSport, with the enlarged squad set to be announced live on Saturday before the crucial draft pick next week.

“This will not only be an opportunity to see the best of the best available in South Africa square off against each other in what promises to be something never seen before, but it will also provide the players with another valuable opportunity to shake off the rust and get the legs and lungs going after not playing any rugby in the last six months,” said Erasmus.

“The players will be encouraged to showcase their skills – individually and in their teams – and while it will be full-on, we’re expecting to see a highly competitive match of quality players against each other.

“It will be exciting – from the moment we select the squads, with several twists thrown in for good measure – through the build-up to the match and the actual encounter in Cape Town.”

To kick things off though, the local rugby season will resume on 26 September with a double-header at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, when the Vodacom Bulls take on the Cell C Sharks and the Emirates Lions battle the DHL Stormers on Vodacom Super Fan Saturday.

These matches will be followed by the Castle Lager Springbok Showdown at DHL Newlands, after which a double round local competition, between seven franchises, kicks off on the weekend of 10 October.

Details of the local competition, with each of the teams facing the others home and away and every side enjoying two byes during the competition, will be released in due course.

In what is another first for South African rugby, the local competition will continue over Christmas and New Year and will culminate in semi-finals (16 January) and a final on 23 January next year.

“This is a very exciting plan for the next few months, considering all the challenges we’ve faced this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it will be great to see our best local rugby heroes battle it out from October to January,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“We’ve worked very hard with Government, SuperSport, our various sponsors and the franchises to get to this point and it’s great to know we can now look forward to brilliant provincial rugby being played in the next couple of months.

“Unfortunately, spectators won’t be allowed inside the stadiums as we are still working with certain COVID-19 regulations.”

Roux said that plans for the Springboks to play the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in Australia were still being pursued but were dependent on international travel and other governmental restrictions as well as player wellness and high-performance considerations.

“We’re still not in a position to confirm plans for the Springboks, but it remains our wish that they play Tests this year,” said Roux.

“It would not only be great to see the Rugby World Cup champions in action, but it would also give the Bok management valuable preparation for next year’s tour of the British & Irish Lions.”

Competition formats and all the fixtures will be confirmed shortly.

 

Kliente kennisgewing: Status van die Land Bank

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In April 2020 het ek u op hoogte gebring van die posisie waarin die Land Bank hulle tans bevind. Ek het onderneem om u op hoogte te hou van verwikkelinge, en versoek graag dat u die tyd sal neem om hierdie belangrike inligting te lees waarin ‘n paar nuwe verwikkelinge  bespreek word. Soos altyd bly UNIGRO daartoe verbind om alles in sy vermoë doen om te verseker dat ons kliënte se behoeftes aangespreek word, selfs in moeilike situasies.

Agtergrond

Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) het op 21 Januarie 2020 die afgradering van die Land Bank se uitreikersgradering van Baa3 na Ba1 aangekondig, en die langtermyn-gradering van die uitreikersgradering van Aa1 na Aa3 op soewereine vlak. Na Moody se daaropvolgende afgradering van die soewereine kredietgradering van Suid-Afrika op 27 Maart 2020, is nog ‘n afwaartse gradering toegepas ten opsigte van alle staatsondernemings, insluitend die Land Bank, wat beteken dat die bank se uitreikersgradering van Ba1 na Ba2 afgegradeer is.

Soos  bo uiteengesit, het hierdie gebeure ‘n beduidende impak op die likiditeitsposisie en kontantvloei van die Land Bank gehad. Dit het daartoe gelei dat die Bank nie onmiddellike verpligtinge kon nakom om ‘n terugbetaling aan een van sy kredietverskaffers te vereffen nie. Die gevolg is was wanbetaling. Die Bank het destyds aangedui dat hulle in gesprek en onderhandeling met die betrokke instansie was om kwytskelding en verlenging van die terugbetalingsdatum te onderhandel. Hierdie konsultasies is na ons wete nie nog nie afgehandel nie.

Soos voorheen genoem, kan enige moontlike wanbetaling van die Bank hulle vermoë om finansiering te bekom, bemoelik. Die onvermoë van die Land Bank om finansiering te onderhandel,  sou dan uitbetalingsverpligtinge ten opsigte van diensvlakooreenkomste benadeel. Dit kan ‘n negatiewe uitwerking hê op UNIGRO se vermoë om deur finansieringsooreenkomste, likiditeit aan boere te bied.

Huidige situasie

UNIGRO en die Bank het sedert 2011 ‘n noemenswaardige vennootskap deur middel van ‘n Diensvlakooreenkoms, wat ons in staat gestel het om verskeie vergaderings met die Bank te hou voordat hierdie situasie ontstaan het, en tydens die hele krisis in voortdurende kontak met belanghebbendes te bly.

Sover UNIGRO bewus is, het die R3 miljard wat deur die Regering goedgekeur is, nog nie gerealiseer nie.  As gevolg van bogenoemde is die wanbetalings situasie nog nie deur die bank reggestel nie, en derhalwe ‘n negatiewe impak op UNIGRO en ons vermoë om ten volle aan ons klante se behoeftes te voldoen.

Ons het derhalwe proaktief begin om met alternatiewe befondsers te onderhandel en is tans in die proses om ‘n maksimum bedrag van R2 miljard korttermynfinansiering, R7 miljard ten opsigte van

langtermynfinansiering, asook addisionele korttermyn en ander befondsing te verkry, om sodoende die impak van hierdie krisis te probeer versag.

UNIGRO sal in die toekoms verseker dat ons eie finansieringslyne gediversifiseer word, om sodoende risiko vir ons klante te beperk, selfs al sou die R3 miljard van die regering ontvang word deur die Land Bank.

Vanweë die omvang van die finansiering en in die huidige ekonomiese klimaat, neem hierdie onderhandelinge egter langer as wat verwag is.  Dit beteken egter dat UNIGRO uitbetalings aan boere  moontlik teen ‘n stadiger pas kan plaasvind  tot tyd en wyl likiditeit herstel word en die Land Bank hul verpligtinge ten opsigte van ons Diensvlakooreenkoms kan nakom.

Ons vra u begrip in hierdie verband en verwag dat nuwe finansiering teen die einde van die jaar in plek sal wees.

Ek versoek u om asseblief in kontak met u verhoudingsbestuurder te bly, want gegewe die klimaat van onsekerheid kan die situasie op baie kort kennisgewing verander.

Laastens, baie dankie vir u volgehoue ondersteuning aan UNIGRO en die AFGRI Groep.  Intussen skakel asseblief met u verhoudingsbestuurder vir opdaterings, maar sodra ons meer duidelikheid het oor die verwikkelinge rakende die Bank, kommunikeer ek weer met u.

Saam sal ons hierdie ongekende tyd in ons land oorkom.

Ross Simmonds
Besturende Direkteur: UNIGRO

Client update on the Land Bank

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In April 2020 I updated you on the position that the Land Bank (“the Bank”) found itself in. In line with the commitment to keeping you informed on this issue, please take the time to read this important update outlining some new developments. As ever, UNIGRO remains committed to ensuring it is doing all it can to ensure our customers’ needs are addressed, even in tough situations.

Background

You may recall that on 21 January 2020 Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) announced the downgrade of the Bank’s issuer rating from Baa3 to Ba1, and its long-term national scale issuer rating from Aa1 to Aa3.  Following Moody’s subsequent downgrade of South Africa’s sovereign credit rating on 27 March 2020, another downward rating adjustment was made to all state-owned entities, including the Land Bank, meaning that the Bank’s issuer rating was downgraded again from Ba1 to Ba2.

As I explained previously, these events had a significant impact on the liquidity position (cash flow) of the Bank, meaning it was not able to meet immediate obligations to settle a repayment under the terms of a revolving credit facility with one of its lenders. The non-payment constituted a default. At the time, the Bank indicated that it was in consultation with the lender concerned to negotiate a waiver and an extension of the repayment date. These consultations are ongoing and have not to our knowledge been finalised.

I also said at the time that any potential default could prevent the Bank from raising funding. The Land Bank’s inability to raise funding would make it difficult for it to meet its disbursement obligations under a Service Level Agreement. This in turn could negatively impact on UNIGRO’s ability to provide liquidity to farmers through our loan agreements.

Current situation

Because UNIGRO and the Bank have had a significant partnership in place through the Service Level Agreement since 2011, we have held several meetings with the Bank both before this situation developed and throughout the crisis, and we remain in constant communication with key stakeholders.

As far as UNIGRO is aware, the R3 billion injection approved by Government has unfortunately not yet materialised. As the situation remains unremedied by both the Bank and by Government, what I warned against has now happened, with an unfortunate knock-on effect on UNIGRO and potentially our ability to lend fully to customers.

We have therefore proactively started a process of sourcing alternative funding and are in the process of securing a maximum of R2 billion in short-term finance, R7 billion in longer-term finance as well as additional short-term syndicated and other funding for facilities to try to mitigate this crisis.

UNIGRO will further ensure that going forward, even if the Bank receives the R3 billion in funding from Government, our own funding lines are diversified to limit risk to our customers. However, due to the size of these funding lines, and in the current economic climate, negotiations are taking a little longer than expected and this in turn means that UNIGRO disbursements to farmers could be at a reduced rate until such time as liquidity is restored, and the Land Bank is able to meet its commitments under our Service Level Agreement. We ask for your understanding in this regard, and expect that the new secured lines of funding will be in place by the end of the year.

In the interim. I urge you to please remain in contact with your relationship manager, as things can change at very short notice in this climate of uncertainty.

Finally, thank you for your continued support of UNIGRO and the AFGRI Group. Please liaise with your relationship manager for updates, although as soon as we have further clarity on developments with regards to the Bank, I will communicate with you again.

Together we will make it through this unprecedented time for our area and the country.

Ross Simmonds
Managing Director: UNIGRO

NAMPO Virtual: Less than 48 hours to go

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In less than 48 hours South Africa’s first fully virtual agriculture-focused Expo and Conference will open.

 

Featuring almost 100 leading suppliers, exhibitor webinars, panel discussions and more, NAMPO Virtual offers visitors the opportunity to stay updated on the latest agricultural trends and developments.

 

NAMPO Virtual enables farmers, producers and the agri industry at large to log in from Virtually Anywhere and Virtually Everywhere, from within South African and across the border to participate in the bumper four-day trade show, AgriXtra conference digital TV channel, Agri in Motion panel discussions as well as a variety programme on the Main Stage.

 

It is a first for NAMPO Virtual and visitors to attend and experience both the show floor and the informative digital TV programme at no cost.

 

Visit www.nampovirtual.co.za to view the full conference and entertainment programme as well as viewing the Exhibitor List to see who is exhibiting.

 

Complimentary visitor registration is available at www.nampovirtual.co.za

 

NAMPO Virtual agriculture exhibition and AgriXTra digital TV channel is open from Wednesday 9 September and runs until Saturday 12 September 2020. Show hours are 09:00 – 19:00 daily except Saturday when the show closes at 14:00.

 

Queries:

Alzena Gomes, Graan SA, 082 463 4356

Niel Saayman, Brand Republic, 082 549 8494

 

NAMPO Virtueel: Minder as 48 uur om te gaan

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Oor minder as 48 uur open Suid-Afrika se eerste ten volle virtuele landbouekspo en konferensie.

Met meer as 100 van die voorste verskaffers, uitstallerwebinaars, paneelbesprekings en vele meer, bied NAMPO Virtueel aan besoekers die geleentheid om op hoogte te bly van die voorste verwikkelinge en neigings in die landboubedryf.

NAMPO Virtueel bied aan boere, produsente en die groter landboubedryf die geleentheid om van enige plek en van oral aan te teken, hetsy van binne Suid-Afrika, en oor wêreldgrense heen, om deel te neem aan die stampvol program oor vier dae, die AgriXtra digitale TV-kanaal, Agri in Motion-paneelgesprekke, en die verskeidenheidsprogram op die Main Stage.

In ‘n eerste vir NAMPO Virtueel kan besoekers die totale NAMPO-ervaring gratis geniet, van die uitstallings tot al die insiggewende programme en vermaak.

Besoek www.nampovirtual.co.za om die volledige konferensie- en vermaakprogramme te sien, asook die Uitstallerslys van almal wat u virtueel kan besoek.

Komplimentêre besoekersregistrasie is nou beskikbaar by www.nampovirtual.co.za

Die NAMPO Virtuele Landbouekspo en AgriXtra digitale TV-kanaal is oop van Woensdag 9 September tot Saterdag 12 September 2020. Die skoutye is 09:00 – 19:00 daagliks, behalwe Saterdag van 09:00 – 14:00.

Navrae:

Alzena Gomes, Graan SA, 082 463 4356

Niel Saayman, Brand Republic, 082 549 8494

 

Jenkins returns to Loftus Versfeld

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Springbok lock, Jason Jenkins, has returned to Loftus Versfeld on a short-term loan from Japanese Top League outfit, Toyota Verblitz, and will be available for the impending South African domestic competition.

The 24-year-old Jenkins joined the Vodacom Bulls in 2013 and represented the franchise from U19 level and all the way up to Vodacom Super Rugby. He represented the Junior Springboks and South Africa A before earning his Springbok cap against Wales in Washington DC in June, 2017.

Jenkins’ return adds more beef to the lock forwards as this behemoth weighs 122kg and stands at 2.01m. Aline this with his dynamic skill set and physicality between the for lines, he is without a doubt a welcomed return to the Vodacom Bulls.

 

#BullsFamily welcomes exciting loose forward Louw

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The Blue Bulls Company can confirm the signing of the exciting and dynamic loose forward Elrigh Louw effective immediately.

The 20-year-old is an impressive physical specimen, standing 1.95m tall and weighing in at 112kg, with the former Junior Springbok flank ultimately sticking his hand up for the Southern Kings in the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 before the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on the global rugby season.

Louw was educated at Hoërskool Transvalia where he represented the Valke at the U18 Craven Week before turning out for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at U19 and U21 level.

His signing further beefs up the Vodacom Bulls’ loose forward stocks with the resumption of the domestic rugby season now within sight.

BBCo Director of Rugby, Jake White, expressed his delight in Louw’s signing as the franchise continues its preparation.

“We are delighted that Elrigh has agreed to join the #BullsFamily as he is a young flanker with a bright future. He has proven in the Guinness PRO14 that he can compete against some of the world’s finest players, and not only has he held his own but excelled while at it.”

Big Duane to lead #BullsFamily

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The Vodacom Bulls are proud and excited to announce that big Duane Vermeulen will captain the #BullsFamily, while Arno Botha and Gio Aplon will serve as deputies.

The 34-year-old World Cup winning no.8 is no stranger to leadership roles as he captained the Springboks against New Zealand in Wellington last year while he also wore the DHL Stormers’ armband in 2015.

Couple this with his experience of both Southern and Northern hemisphere rugby, on top of his never-back-down attitude and dedication to perfecting his craft, and it becomes easy to understand his appointment.

Loose forward Arno Botha and utility back Gio Aplon’s appointments as Vermeulen’s deputies were based on similar calculations with Botha (28) having always been earmarked to have a hand in the Vodacom Bulls’ leadership since his junior days at Loftus Versfeld where he led the Vodacom Blue Bulls at various levels including the Currie Cup.

The 37-year-old mercurial and hot stepping utility back Aplon brings a wealth of experience that includes the DHL Stormers, Grenoble and Toyota Verblitz while boasting 17 Springbok caps, he certainly knows how and when to bring the magic on the field. It is this experience that has created a level headed, tactical type of player which will serve the younger backs greatly in the coming seasons.

The Vodacom Bulls have always had the privilege of having some of the finest leaders in world rugby amongst their ranks and it is no different at present with the likes of Trevor Nyakane, Morné Steyn, Nizaam Carr and Ivan van Zyl all highly capable leaders, both on and off the field.

Vermeulen thanked White for showing faith in him as a leader while encouraging the loyal #BullsFamily supporters during this difficult time.

“It is always a privilege to play a game of rugby and it is one I never take for granted. It’s a massive honour to be appointed captain of this group, especially at this exciting time when so much is expected from us. A huge thank you must go out to Jake and the management team for trusting me with this immense privilege.”

“This year has been a difficult one for many South Africans but rugby will return and when it does the Vodacom Bulls will be ready to make you proud.”

Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 management confirmed

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The Blue Bulls Company has confirmed the coaching management of the Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 as they gear up in anticipation of defending their SA Rugby U21 Championship crown if and when the season resumes.

This year’s SA Rugby U21 Championship will run parallel with the senior Currie Cup and will feature six teams in a single round of matches before the knockout rounds.

The #BullsFamily is not only proud of the success of their juniors of last year but also determined to create a winning culture and become a powerhouse at junior as well as senior levels which is in-line with Director of Rugby, Jake White’s long-term vision for the franchise.

Hayden Groepes has been named as head coach after successfully guiding the Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 to glory last year and will look to emulate that success at U21 level.

Groepes is no stranger to the junior structures at Loftus Versfeld with the former Vodacom Blue Bulls utility back serving various roles from technical analyst to head coach, while he has also Vodacom Super Rugby and Currie Cup experience as a skills coach.

The U21s will also have the combined experience of Pine Pienaar and David Manuel as assistant coaches and their senior coaching experience at Vodacom Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Super Sport Rugby Challenge, and Vodacom Cup level will ensure that the U21s have everything they need to defend their title.

One of White’s mandates is to align the region’s rugby structures from schools through to clubs and up to Vodacom Super Rugby by ensuring that the same blueprint is followed and the appointment of former Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool and Blue Bulls Craven Week coach, Jaco Koch, as assistant forward coach is another step into making this a reality.

White was excited about the junior coaching and support group, “It’s great to have a junior structure where we can grow and develop not only the young players but also the staff. This is the foundation on what happens at a senior level, and I’m extremely pleased with the group we have entrusted with this task. Hayden has enjoyed success with the u19s last year, and will be keen to continue with the bulk of that those players moving into this division”

Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 management:

  • Head coach: Hayden Groepes
  • Assistant coach – Backs: Pine Pienaar
  • Assistant coach – Forwards: Jaco Koch
  • Assistant coach – Breakdown: David Manuel
  • Scrum coach: Edgar Marutlulle
  • Conditioning coach: Shaun du Toit, Yusuf Vahed
  • Physiotherapists: Kyle Meyer, Um’r Ismail
  • Team doctor: Dr Gerhard Louwrens
  • Logistics manager: Tshepo Mashigo
  • Team manager: Werner de Beer
  • Rehab specialists: Armond de Wet, Tirsa Pittaway
  • Speed Coach: Jacus Coetzee

BullsFamily welcomes Clinton Swart

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The Blue Bulls Company can confirm that 27-year-old Clinton Swart will join the Vodacom Bulls effective immediately.

Swart is a versatile player who is an accomplished flyhalf with a proficient boot as a goal kicker and is also more than comfortable in the midfield. He represented the Pumas at Craven Week and Under 19 level before enrolling at the University of Pretoria. His return marks a homecoming of sorts for the talented back as he represented the Vodacom Blue Bulls U21 in 2012.

The brutally effective runner turned out for the Valke before he moved to Kimberley to don the Tafel Lager Griquas jersey and it was during his stay in the Northern Cape where his hard work paid off as he was drafted into the Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby squad.

In 2018, he linked up with Japanese Top League outfit, Toyota Verblitz, where he was coached by the current Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, and played alongside fellow Vodacom Bulls newcomer Gio Aplon.

His signing will add immense value to the backs while his ability and experience will allow the backline more room to express themselves.

White welcomed Swart to the #BullsFamily, “I do not doubt that Clinton will fit in perfectly into our plans. He is an expressive and hard-running player with an immense work rate. Having worked with him and coached him before, he knows perfectly well what I expect of him.”