The Cheetahs will play the Cardiff Blues in Bloemfontein, on the 4th August 2012. The match is in memory of Sir George Gray, who would have been 200 years old this year.
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Sir George Gray – Founder of Grey College:
The game will be played in memory of Sir George Grey who would have been 200-years-old this year.
Grey was the founder of Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Nine players from the Cardiff Blues squad, including Wales captain, Sam Warburton, have been included in the Wales team who will be touring to Australia next month. The squad will also be accompanied by the IRB Player of the Millennium, Gareth Edwards.
Cardiff Blues are one of the world’s most famous rugby clubs and has played against the Springboks and Wallabies on several occasions.
Harold Verster, managing director of the Free State Cheetahs (PTY) Ltd said he was very excited about the prospects of the game.“This is a wonderful opportunity to host a match for our suite holders, season ticket holders and fans and to simultaneously pay respect to Grey College for their huge contribution to rugby in the Free State and South Africa,” Verster said on Thursday.
“It is a great honour for us to host Gareth Edwards and the Cardiff Blues in Bloemfontein and it will bring a lot of excitement. We want to make a big deal out of this event.”
“The match will be played in honour of Sir George Grey and Grey College and we will pay tribute to the retiring principal of Grey College, Johan Volsteedt, who has made major contributions to rugby over the years.”
This is the second consecutive year that the Free State did not get an international match and the union said it was grateful to rugby promoter, Willem Strauss, who managed to bring this match to Bloemfontein.
Strauss said the game was a celebration of Grey College’s rugby achievements over many years and their contribution to Free State and South African rugby.
Cardiff Blues coach Phil Davies said the tour to the Free State would be important preparation for the team’s pre-season and they were looking forward to the match against the Free State Cheetahs.