Some of South Africa’s highest-ranked polocrosse players will be auctioned off at a grand gala dinner at the Shongweni Polocrosse Club on 22 June.
Eight of the country’s top guns (four males and four females) in polocrosse will be sold to the highest bidding teams participating in the second Land Rover Durban High Goal Competition hosted at the Shongweni Polocrosse Club between the 23rd and 25th June.
According to Shongweni Polocrosse Committee member, Sam Heynes, the gala dinner kicks off the High Goal event, allowing teams to bid for their high-ranked player of choice, who will complete their team. In last year’s competition, there were only male wild card players. This year, male and female players will be auctioned off, creating an air of suspense, added Heynes.
“Spectators and players can look forward to world-class action and entertainment as this tournament promises to deliver the best this fantastic sport has to offer,” said Heynes.
The top male wildcard players on auction will be:
Jannie Steenkamp: This 10-handicap player from Wellington in the Western Cape plays for the Cape Unicorns Polocrosse Club. He has been a part of two World Cup winning teams.
Attie van Wyk: Plays for Arnot Polocrosse Club in Mpumalanga. He has a handicap of 9, and has represented South Africa at both junior and senior levels
Nico van Wyk: Also plays for Arnot Polocrosse Club in Mpumalanga. He has represented South Africa at junior and senior levels, and has an 8 handicap.
Stefan Harris: Has an 8-handicap. He is from Shongweni and plays for the Cape Unicorns Polocrosse Club, where he attends university. He played for South Africa in April 2017, where South Africa made history, winning the series 3-0.
Ladies wildcards:
Jean Hackland: Represented South Africa against New Zealand, United Kingdom and Australia between 2004 and 2017. She is a 6-handicap player and plays for the Bishopstowe Polocrosse Club in Pietermaritzburg.
Celicia Jacobs: Has a 6-handicap and plays for the Arnot Polocrosse Club in Mpumalanga. She has represented South Africa at junior and senior levels and three World Cups thus far.
Caley Higgs: Plays for the Richmond Polocrosse Club. She is a 6-handicap player that has played for South Africa at junior and senior levels, including the winning team for the 2015 World Cup and playing against Australia earlier this year.
Natalie Maclarty: Hails from Elandslaage, Ladysmith and plays for the Nyati Polocrosse Club. She has a handicap of 6 and was part of the 2015 South African World Cup team. She has represented the country at both junior and senior levels.
The gala dinner promises to be a glamorous and entertaining evening, with a sumptuous dinner to launch the Landrover Durban Polocrosse High Goal tournament.
Tickets for the black tie event, which will commence at 5.30pm, will be sold at R300 per person or R3000.00 per table of ten. For bookings, contact Bridget von Benecke on 073 147 1612, or email bridget@vbresin.co.za.
