WPRFU establish historic Japanese ties

In an historic first, Western Province Rugby Football Union President Mr Thelo Wakefield hosted the Japanese Consul, the Cape Town Japan Club, Sunwolves team management, DHL Stormers coaching staff and team management, the Western Province Rugby leadership and various other dignitaries at a function at the President’s Suite at DHL Newlands on Thursday ahead of the first Vodacom Super Rugby match between the DHL Stormers and the Sunwolves.

In his address Mr Wakefield welcomed the guests and expressed his hope that this match will signal the beginning of a strong relationship between the WPRFU and Japanese rugby.

“We have already taken our brand to a new territory this year when the DHL Stormers travelled to Argentina to face the Jaguares, and we look forward to taking the brand further in our historic match against the Sunwolves in Singapore later this season,” he said.

The Honourable Japanese Consul Mr Yasushi Naito spoke about the importance of the Sunwolves’ entry to Vodacom Super Rugby and new partnerships ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup which is being held in Japan.

“Tonight marks an historic occasion both on and off the field,” Wakefield concluded.