This year’s International Representative weekend will feature the inaugural clash between the South African Rhinos and the Malta Knights in a test that Rhinos coach Jon Wilson describes as being about “building our talent pool up.”​

The Rhinos will have a strong Queensland flavour, featuring Tweed Heads Seagulls prop Shane Gillham, Halvor Harris (Lock, Townsville), Ashley Bull (Second row, Cairns), Jason King (Hooker, Emerald Cowboys), Byron Hutchinson Centre, Runaway Bay) and Andre-Carl Joubert (Five Eighth, Springsure Mountain Men) as well as former Queensland based players Brendan and Jackson Frei.
South Africa’s long-term aim is to increase their international ranking points (they are currently ranked 35th) and push for World Cup qualification, however this test is about bringing the team together, establishing a culture and getting an idea of where they sit compared to a more established and experienced side like Malta, who are currently ranked 17th.

“We want to keep this group together and hopefully get them playing more regularly, perhaps with annual fixtures” Wilson said “We’ve picked a fairly hard first up test for this group, Malta have been together a long time and have a large talent pool of players playing at a high level” he said.
One of the key people in building that culture is former Ipswich Jet and Brisbane Bronco Gideon Mzembe. Mzembe, who has previously played for South Africa is the teams’ strength and conditioning coach and described representing his homeland as an honour. “My grandmother grew up in the apartheid era, it is truly an honour to represent South Africa, for all the people from those generations that never got the chance.” He said.
The Rhinos is a heritage team, with the majority the players having been born in South Africa before emigrating to Australia. It is one of the strongest South African sides assembled. Previous Rhinos sides have been picked from players playing in South African competitions, whereas this squad consists of players with plenty of A Grade, under 20’s, Intrust Super Cup and Intrust Super Premiership experience.
As well as the Queensland contingent the side will include five players from NSW, five from Western Australia, one from New Zealand and two (Marcelle Viljoen and Zach Van Loggerenber) who will fly over from South Africa.
The test is being played on Sunday 24th of June at St Marys Rugby League stadium and will be live streamed. Go to the South African Rugby League Heritage Association Facebook page or the Malta Rugby League page for details of the stream.

The venue and format for the Middle East Africa qualifier for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup has changed.

The contest between Lebanon and South Africa, which will determine the eighth nation of 14 to go to the finals in the Antipodes, will now be decided over two matches that will take place on the 25th and 31st of October in Pretoria rather than one in Dubai, as originally scheduled.

Rugby League International Federation CEO, David Collier, commented on the switch, “The MEA qualifier will be played over two matches in South Africa as the registration of rugby league, under the auspice of RLIF, is not yet complete in the United Arab Emirates and, therefore, the option of playing matches in Dubai was not available at this time.”

South Africa RL president Kobus Botha noted, “SARL is extremely excited about hosting this highly prestigious World Cup Qualifier. We aim to present an event to the rugby league community that showcases the great country we have, with friendly crowds and passionate supporters. 

“It will also contribute to the development and awareness of the sport in South Africa. We welcome Lebanon to Pretoria and hope that this is the first of many such tournaments and a small glimpse into what South Africa can offer as a potential host country for the 2021 World Cup.”

His counterpart, Lebanon president, Mohamed Habbous, added, “We understand the unexpected situation that has forced this re-think.

“Playing in South Africa puts us at a disadvantage and makes our qualifying for the World Cup that much trickier, but we have faith in the squad and understand that the qualifier must stay in the region. True to the spirit of the Lebanese people, we will give everything we have in order to qualify and give the people at home something to cheer come October."

Although South Africa may not have been successful in its bid for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup their participation will still draw in the crowds, and once again the question of sponsorships comes to the fore. South Africans are a rugby-loving nation and the SARL has  a huge following of fans, so sponsors are guaranteed maximum exposure, especially when competing in an event of this calibre.

The Rugby League World Cup is the oldest tournament of its type internationally, and the 2017 event will be the 15th instalment of the Cup. Sponsors who choose to back the SARL will thus receive a huge amount of publicity internationally as the games are being hosted by New Zealand and Australia, and the rewards of being in the public eye will be enormous.

Sponsorship in the SARL has been on the up recently and Steeden, the rugby equipment manufacturer signed a deal in 2013 to become kit supplier to the SA team for the next 5 years. For Steeden and the SARL this type of sponsorship is extremely beneficial as it builds both entities and allows for greater growth within the sport. Sponsors of the SARL show their commitment to the game and in turn, catch the eye of spectators who then respect their involvement and are thus motivated to support the brands advertised.

On an international scale a variety of brands are competing to add their name to the growing list of sponsors for the Rugby League World Cup in 2017, and in addition to sports-related companies many other businesses such as hotel and entertainment venues, online establishments like www.mobilecasino.mobi and auto and tech manufacturers are stepping up to add their logo to teams kits, or the stadiums where matches are being held.

Sponsors for the SARL not only serve their own interests by enjoying maximum exposure on all platforms, they also benefit the sport as they provide the funds for it to grow and the stability for managers and coaches to be appointed. Sponsorship thus facilitates the continuation of a sport that has a huge fan base at all levels in S.A.

As the 2017 Rugby League World Cup draws nearer it will be interesting to see which brands step forward and are successfully accepted as backers of both the SARL and other international teams.

Article from ww.rlif.com

The Rugby League International Federation today announced that Australia and New Zealand were jointly successful in winning the right to host Rugby League World Cup 2017, ahead of a bid from South Africa.

Chairman of the bid committee and RLIF vice chairman, Nigel Wood said: “The bid from South Africa was very strong, prepared professionally and clearly demonstrated a passion for Rugby League that is growing by the day in that country.”

Kobus Botha, President of South African Rugby League, congratulated Australia and New Zealand on their winning bid, stating: “South Africa will now endeavour to work with the Rugby League International Federation to ensure the growth of the sport here and will look at establishing a strong team to qualify for RLWC2017.”

SARL and the RLIF have already entered into discussions to look at ways of developing the game in South Africa through a series of international tournaments and exhibition matches to ensure that the nation is in a position to apply again to host RLWC2021.

“All of the facilities and aspects unique to South Africa to ensure expansion of the game are still available to the RLIF,” added Botha.

Ian Riley, CEO of the South African bid confirmed that the process had already generated positive spin-offs. “Rugby League in South Africa now has a voice and the process of bidding has allowed SARL to start conversations with SASCOC, the SRSA and SARU towards recognition and support,” he noted.

“It has also created dialogue between, and shown a willingness by, major Rugby League countries to get involved and play a role in developing the sport. We are in discussions with the RLIF on creating a seven year roadmap for Rugby League in South Africa and other territories to see how we can collectively grow the game.”