Corné Krige returns to Newlands
Corné, one of Newlands Rugby Stadium’s favourite son’s, will lead a Vodacom WP side, which will include former WP and Stormers team mates Bob Skinstad and Hottie Louw (pictured: Corné with Hottie Louw (left) and Bob Skinstad (right) during a Stormers ad campaign shoot in 1999). Other former WP and Stormers stalwarts who have accepted the invitation to play in Krige’s team include Braam van Straaten and Pietie Ferreira.
“I am thrilled that Bob, Hottie, Braam and Pietie have accepted my invite to play in my testimonial match,” said Corne Krige. “They are all great players and longstanding friends. Bob is one of the modern-game all-time South African legends and we have played in many teams together. Together with exciting players in the current WP set up such as Luke Watson, Schalk Brits and JD Moller, I believe that we will have a very competitive team.”
The World XV, who also take on the Springboks on Saturday 3 June in Johannesburg, will be made up of high profile internationals including Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Olivier Magne, Thomas Castaignede and Joe Roff.
The fixture is a testimonial match for Corné Krige. “Corné is a player that led from the front and always put his body on the line. Having captained every single WP representative side from u/13 to senior level, as well as the Stormers and the Springboks, we felt it fitting to bestow this honour,” said WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd MD Rob Wagner.
Corné Krige Stats:
WP Debut: 1996 vs N Tvl
WP Caps: 73 (24 as captain)
WP Points: 43 (8t, 1dg)
Super 12 Debut: 1996 vs NSW
Super 12 Caps: 61 (52 as captain)
Super 12 Points: 25 (5t)
Springbok Debut: 1999 vs Italy
Springbok Caps: 39 (18 as captain)
Springbok Points: 10 (2t)
The match will be the culmination of a week of festivities, which will include a dinner and a golf day with both teams as hosts.
Both the Vodacom WP XV and the World XV will host a development clinic and a percentage of all funds generated from the three projects will be donated to Corné’s charity of choice: Reach for a dream.
“WP has always been in my blood. Rugby is and always will be my passion and WP my home. I am honoured to once again lead a WP team onto the hallowed ground of Newlands and look forward to providing the supporters with an outstanding evening of festival rugby against some of the best in the game,” said Corné Krige.
Tickets for Corné’s testimonial match: Vodacom WP Corné Krige XV vs World XV on Friday 9 June at Newlands Rugby Stadium are on sale now at your nearest Shoprite Checkers, on line at www.ticketshop.co.za or on 083 918 0001. Season tickets are not valid for this match.
