DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Blue Bulls have both announced that they will be playing against Saracens, at Allianz Park, London, England.
In the case of WP, they will play Saracens at the end of the Currie Cup season in 2014, whereas the Blue Bulls will play Saracens late January 2015.
DHL Western Province:
Western Province will play English Premiership side, Saracens, at Allianz Park in London on Sunday 9 November 2014.
“To play Saracens in London will be a great experience for our players and coaches and, while some of our players will be involved in the Springbok tour to Europe, we will field our strongest possible team at Allianz Park,” Director of Rugby Gert Smal said.
Saracens defeated the Sharks earlier this year, and will be aiming to maintain their 100% record against top South African opposition.
Mark McCall, Saracens’ Director of Rugby, commented: “Western Province have long been one of the leading teams in the southern hemisphere, and it will be a great thrill for our players and supporters to welcome the Cape team to Allianz Park.”
Saracens topped the overall standings in the 2013/14 Premiership, losing just three times in 22 league matches, before going down narrowly to Northampton Saints in a dramatic final at Twickenham at the end of May.
Vodacom Blue Bulls:
Saracens will play the Vodacom Blue Bulls, the South African provincial team, at Allianz Park on Saturday 31 January 2015.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls will field a full strength side against the English Premiership league winners.
Mark McCall, Director of Rugby, said: “The Vodacom Blue Bulls are always formidable opposition, and we look forward to another fantastic occasion at Allianz Park. Our players greatly enjoyed the match against the Sharks last January, as these matches against top southern hemisphere opposition become part of our annual calendar.”
Frans Ludeke, Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, said: “Saracens are closely followed and well supported throughout South Africa. They have been performing really well in the Premiership and the European Cup, and might easily have won both competitions last month. We look forward to a great game on the artificial turf at Allianz Park.”
Tickets are available online at www.saracens.com
It is good to see a bit more interaction between SA and European or English Clubs… might pave the way for some form of future competition.
This is really good news, have been thinking for a long time that Blue Bulls should be increasing their commercial prescence over here, see more Stormers and Sharks tops than Bulls one. Just a pity this didn’t happen at the height of our success would have been easier to market us as Super rugby champions, oh well Currie Cup champs will have to do this time
Will need to get a flight down there for this, rugby-talk must be represented there, maybe can get the trip sponsored (nudge nudge Mr Webmonster)
3 @ Bullscot:
Hehehe
Will apply for Media Accreditation for you!
4 @ grootblousmile:
Ahh would you that woud be great GBS, was just talking about it to the missus and she is real keen for us to go down!
Things moving quickly this side for this already looked at some flight options and will try and secure them fairly soon. Just hoping its not a snowy weekend which can cause havoc with flying.
Feel as excited as a child at Christmas about going to see the Blue Bulls at the Allianz
Pity for WP fans their game will be during the Autumn Internationals so many of the top players in both teams will be missing, but they could make a nice weekend of it anyway – go to London to catch England v New Zealand at Twickenham the day before then go to the game at the Allianz on the Sunday.
@Bullscot 8
“Pity for WP fans their game will be during the Autumn Internationals so many of the top players in both teams will be missing”
My friend, that is a normal occurrence for us Stormers supporters. I can’t remember when last we have played with our top players all fit and uninjured at the same time
😀
@9
Should also add, all together at the same time, either fit or not on Bok duty, but gist remains, we only have an A side on paper, they hardly ever happen to play together
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