SA Polo

Presented by BMW

The glamour and excitement of International Polo once again hit Cape Town on 27th February this year with the second BMW International Polo Series in Paarl in the Western Cape. The Val de Vie Estate was yet again the focus of the social and sporting calendar when the South African Polo team took on Italy in the 14-goal International. South Africa won convincingly 14 - 5 (see match report below).

MATCH REPORT – BMW INTERNATIONAL POLO – VAL de VIE 2010

South Africa vs Italy

The highly anticipated BMW International Polo Series took place on Saturday, 27 February at the Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate, based in the Paarl Franschhoek Valley. Cape Town’s elite, including celebrities Ryk Neethling, Ard Matthews, Leanne Liebenberg, Vanessa Haywood and Joe Pietersen, enjoyed a thrilling day of polo - witnessing South Africa’s superb win against Italy by 14 goals to 5 in the main match of the day, whilst relaxing with fine wine and exquisite food in the stunning grounds of Val de Vie.

The South African Polo Association and BMW proudly celebrated 21 years of association this year which bought added significance to the 2010 event. This alliance continues to provide the foundation for development and promotion of polo within South Africa.

SA captain, Gareth Evans, led South Africa as they fought it out against the former Federation of International Polo European Champions, Italy, in a 14-goal handicap encounter over 6 chukkas.

This equestrian sport, widely regarded as the Sport of Kings and the oldest mounted sport in the world, has a dedicated and loyal local following, but as a result of BMW’s passion and support over the past 21 years, this event is fast forming the basis of annual international Polo games to be held in the Western Cape.

“For BMW, our long-standing association with Polo is clearly in support of the core values of the BMW brand,” explains Guy Kilfoil, General Manager: Communications & Public Affairs at BMW South Africa. “Our brand represents dynamism, exclusivity, innovation and aesthetics in equal measure and the sport of polo certainly mirrors each of these characteristics. More importantly, as anyone who has watched a polo match will testify to, the sound of thundering hooves and the thrill of robust competition delivers spectators the very emotion that BMW embodies in each of its products – pure unadulterated Joy.”