Jersey to welcome South Africa’s Rugby Stars to its shores

The current Rugby World Cup Champions, the South African national rugby team, also known as the Springboks, will visit Jersey this October (28th to 3rd November) for a week-long training camp and events programme, which will see the team engage with the local community, host a youth rugby camp, and utilise the island’s state-of-the-art sports facilities at Strive.

The Springboks will hold their training camp in Jersey ahead of the Autumn Internationals, with the entire Springboks squad and management team in attendance. Whilst on-island the Springboks will:

• Host an Open Training Session at Jersey Rugby Club, with a pitch walk-around
• Hold a Youth Rugby Camp, organised in collaboration with Jersey Rugby Club
• Support local charity at An Evening with the Springboks Charity Gala Dinner
• Explore the island and help to promote Jersey as a top destination for visitors and sports tourism

Open Training Session at Jersey Rugby Club – Saturday 2 November (10:30am)

An opening training session on Saturday 2nd November will offer a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity to observe the team’s skills and World Champion training sessions first-hand. Tickets to the open session are £10 for adults (£5 for children) and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

An Evening with the Springboks Charity Gala – Saturday 2 November (Evening)

Taking place on Saturday 2 November at the Royal Jersey Showground, An Evening with the Springboks Charity Gala Dinner presents a once in a lifetime chance to dine with the Springboks. The entire squad and management will be in attendance and guests have the unique opportunity to host individual players and coaches on their table. For availability please follow the link.

The Charity Gala will raise funds for the Jersey Sports for the Disabled (JSAD), which provides vital support and opportunity to those with a disability wishing to take part in sport in the island. JSAD encourages those starting out, right through to those aspiring to become stars of the future, believing that sport should be available to all, regardless of age or disability

Youth Rugby Camp – Tuesday 29th – Thursday 31st October (9:00am – 12:30pm)

Open to children aged 9-12 years, Jersey Rugby Club and the Springboks will host a three-day Youth Rugby Camp to inspire future sporting stars. Participants will receive a solid starter in the sport through fun interactive sessions, led by professional coaches with participation from World Champion Springboks players. Camp tickets are from £95 per child for three days. Follow Jersey Rugby Club (@jerseyrugbyclub) on social media for booking details.

Commenting on the forthcoming visit, Head Coach Rassie Erasmus at South Africa Rugby said: “We are all incredibly excited about heading to Jersey this autumn. With many of our players based in the UK and France, the chance to come together as a national team and prepare for the Autumn Internationals in such an excellent environment was an easy decision. Jersey provides a top-tier training facility at Strive, while also offering the perfect setting for our Springboks to strengthen team bonds and engage with rugby fans in the local community.”

Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “I hope that the Springboks’ visit will both inspire Islanders to get involved in sport, and will also boost our visitor economy by putting Jersey on the map as a place which world-class squads can use as a base for training.

“There are significant South African expat communities in Jersey, France, and the UK, and many business connections with South Africa, and I am confident that the impact of hosting this world-class squad will go well beyond rugby.”

Tricia Warwick, Chief Executive Officer at Visit Jersey commented: “The Springboks visit to Jersey not only brings the excitement of world-class sport to our doorstep, but also raises Jersey’s profile on the global stage. We look forward to welcoming the Springboks and their international fans to Jersey this October, and we are confident that they will enjoy a successful training camp here, discovering why visitors to our island feel renewed, restored, and reinvigorated.

“The Springboks visit also presents an important opportunity to strengthen the island’s position as a sports tourism destination. Building on the previous visits from professional sports teams, and the fantastic work being done by Strive, we hope the Springboks visit opens the door to future opportunities for sports training camps and sporting events in Jersey.”

Ben Harvey, Managing Director at Strive commented: “Strive is delighted to have secured the visit of South Africa, the current and back to back World Champions. The Springboks represent more than just rugby and it is not only huge for Strive, and another wonderful endorsement of our facilities and staff, but also for the island as a whole.”