Polocrosse World Cup takes off in Durban

The 2024 Ignition Group Polocrosse World Cup has taken off with a thrilling start at the Durban Shongweni Club, nestled in the scenic Valley of 1000 Hills.

Running from Wednesday July 17 to Sunday July 28, the tournament has captivated fans with remarkable performances from the world’s top polocrosse teams.

The opening ceremony on July 19 saw a dazzling display of natural horsemanship by Zecks Samu and Viceroy from the Galloping Winds stable. The event officially welcomed eight competing nations: South Africa, the two-time World Cup champions; reigning champions Australia; along with New Zealand, Zambia, England, Ireland, the United States and Zimbabwe.

The celebrations continued with a lively spit braai and musical entertainment featuring Durban’s own Golden Super Hawks, live loop artist Tanner Wareham, and DJ Kevin Cotton.

The tournament’s competitive spirit was visible as the first round of matches commenced on July 20, with teams engaging in a round-robin format across Pool A and Pool B.

South Africa’s national team made a formidable start with a decisive 29-16 victory over Zimbabwe. They carried this momentum into Day 2, concluding the weekend with a 27-18 win against Ireland.

Henry Harris, coach of the South African Ladies Team, remarked after the match: “It was a tough game today but a good opportunity to dig deep, to test horses and our team’s resolve.”

Dr Manfred Rohwer, president of the Polocrosse Association of South Africa, expressed his pride in hosting the event.

“It’s really something to see the game played at this level, and to have it played on home ground is such an honour for South Africa, and Durban Shongweni Club in particular. Whether you know the game or not, it’s a marvel to see live, in action, and we’re looking forward to what the teams bring over the next few days.”