Covid-19 Update & Recap

Wow! What a world we live in today with COVID -19 effecting us all and of course our Sporting World being correctly put on hold - football temporally suspended; Six Nations postponed as well as International Cricket teams returning from various destinations and most importantly, the Tokyo Olympics where sports men and women who have trained for the past four years and reached their peak. The list goes on.

I am repeatedly asked about the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to SA next year and when packages and events will be released. I am well informed from the joint-venture decision-makers at SA Rugby Travel and British and Irish Lions Travel who control the event, the earliest we will receive information will be the end of April 2020. With COVID -19, only time will tell and further delays can be anticipated. Rest assured we are in regular contact and once I receive the latest information, I will once again be in touch.

On the positive side…

What a cricket season it was in South Africa where once again SWB SPORTS & EVENTS did themselves proud with full suites in Pretoria, Cape Town and the infamous ‘Bull Ring’ at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. This was followed by the Momentum ODI at Newlands and a fantastic ‘Pink Day’ in aid of Breast Cancer at Wanderers. The season finished off in South Africa with the KFC T20 series against Australia where SWB SPORTS & EVENTS once again hosted its special brand of hospitality at both Newlands in Cape Town and the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

While the cricket was happening, SWB SPORTS & EVENTS were also involved in functions with Mike Atherton at Kelvin Grove Club in Cape Town, Darren Gough at the Pirates Club in Greenside, Johannesburg and Gladstone Small, also in Johannesburg.

The farewell party for the Barmy Army took place at Pirates Club where some 250 members descended for a ’right royal’ send off! Billy the Trumpeter was there as he said his farewells to the Army and a truly memorable evening was shared – not to mention the complaints from locals… after all it was a Monday evening!

SWB SPORTS & EVENTS hospitality suites seemed to be the preferred ‘hang out’ for the international touring group leaders when they enjoyed well-deserved refreshments and nourishment – as is our nature to host them as well.

Check out a gallery of images here:

We are now in the rugby season as we wait to hear what will happen with Super Rugby - quite frankly a very tired and drawn out competition which needs change on the cards!

Fixtures for the international season have been released – Scotland will be touring South Africa with matches being played in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape. The All Blacks will be playing in ‘wild life’ country - Mbombela (the renamed Nelspruit in Mpumalanga) during late July. Argentina will take on the World Cup Champions at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg during the first week in August. SWB SPORTS & EVENTS will again be offering excellent hospitality at all the games and special functions and great weekend packages to Durban, Cape Town and Mbombela will also be on offer.

The Cape Town Rugby 7s is once again on our radar and takes place at the beginning of December. We are also currently looking into Olympics Rugby 7s in Tokyo 27th to 31st July as well as Dubai 7s at the end of year.

Golf and motor racing are also very much part of the ‘new look’ SWB SPORTS & EVENTS with the Million Dollar Golf Challenge at Sun City and the Dubai Classic - both taking place in November, as well as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 29th Nov.

SWB SPORTS & EVENTS has also taken the decision to undertake the Ashes Tour to Australia in 2021 due to the local ex Pat demand in South Africa and requests from our UK clients - we are really very excited at this prospect!

On the football front, Ian Darke - BT & ESPN football commentator will continue to do his hilarious and factual football Blogs alongside Peter Winterbottom on rugby and Robin Jackman on cricket.

Stay healthy and positive and adhere to all preventative measures and we shall get through this!

Here’s to good health and what will be in 2020 with SWB SPORTS & EVENTS.

Steve