In what was probably a first in South Africa, the arts and sport combined to host a hugely successful golf day on 13 October at the De Zalze Country Club outside Stellenbosch. And the common dominator?  Toyota South Africa, of course!

It all started when the Toyota US Woordfees asked super events-specialist Leoné Pitts to organise a golf day to coincide with the Woordfees, which was held at the beginning of October in Stellenbosch. Never short of creative ideas, Leoné realised that the US Woordfees and the Cheetahs rugby franchise in Bloemfontein are both sponsored by Toyota. And voila, the plan to hold a joined golf day to the benefit of both the Woordfees and the Cheetahs Rugby Trust was born.

The Woordfees organisers and the Cheetahs Trust were receptive to the proposal, culminating in the successful day at De Zalze.

Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Free State Cheetahs, sings the praises of Toyota SA during the prize-giving ceremony. Ross, along with De Wet Ras and Theuns Stofberg, was a Free State rugby team member who first won the coveted Currie Cup against Western Province in 1976. Two of their opponents that day, Morné du Plessis, who captained WP, and vice-captain Dawie Snyman, also participated in the golf day.  

Amongst the well-known sports personalities who participated in the golf day were ex-Springboks Morné du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Dawie Snyman, Schalk Burger, Theuns Stofberg, Jackie Snyman, De Wet Ras and Colin Beck; as well as Olympic gold medal winner Ryk Neethling and SA 7s High-Performance Manager Marius Schoeman.

Ryk Neethling, Morné du Plessis and Karen Meiring having a good laugh at one of Bloumwillem’s jokes.  

Dawie Snyman, former Springbok vice-captain who coached Western Province to five consecutive Currie Cup victories, shares a joke with some of the golfers at the prize-giving dinner. Behind him is former Springbok Colin Beck.

The US Woordfees and the Arts were represented by, amongst others, the well-known Entrepreneur and Content Director Karen Meiring; the author Rudie van Rensburg; Saartjie Botha, director and main organiser of the US Woordfees; the actors Carel Nel and Marvin-Lee Beukes; and the artist Maritza Breitenbach. The latter created a stunning artwork which was auctioned at the golf day.

Free State Cheetahs CEO Ross van Reenen and US Woordfees Director Saartjie Botha with the prize-winning team of Derik Coetzer (left), Albrecht Gantz and Reagon Graig. Derik created the Cheetahs Rugby Trust along with Blouwillem Theron, Bubu Arendt and Theo Geustyn, who participated in the golf day.

Theo Geustyn, the owner of the Ultimate Rugby Experience museum at Nooitgedacht-outside Stellenbosch, donated three collectors’ items which were also auctioned, the auctioneer being none other than ex-Springbok rugby player Hempies du Toit.

Ex-Springbok Theuns Stofberg and Theo Geustyn (on the right) at the prize-giving function.  Theo, the owner of the Rugby Museum outside Stellenbosch, donated three valuable memorabilia for the auction.  

Former Springboks De Wet Ras and Morné du Plessis, who often played against each other in their heyday, thorough enjoyed themselves at the prize-giving dinner.

Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Free State Cheetahs, sang the praises of Toyota SA, who renewed their more than 10-year sponsorship of the Cheetahs earlier this year. “The Cheetahs were in the doldrums after having been omitted from the United Rugby Championships in 2020,” he said. “We faced the most challenging period in the union’s 126-year existence. Imagine our delight and relief when Toyota SA came to our rescue.”

Van Reenen also thanked Toyota for sponsoring the Toyota Challenge, which enabled the Toyota Cheetahs to get some valuable game time ahead of their participation in December in the European Challenge Cup; and for sponsoring golf shirts for the players who participated in the golf day at De Zalze.

Leoné Pitts says she is delighted by the success of the golf day. “Some of the participants expressed the wish that it should become an annual event, something that is certainly worth considering.

Danie Gerber was one of several ex-Springbok rugby players who showed their mettle on the golf day.

Over dinner before the prize-giving ceremony, Danie Gerber, who scored 19 tries in 24 tests the Springbok jersey, was asked what the highlight of his career was. "It was that occasion when Naas Botha passed me the ball," he laughed.

Gerber added that his remark was said in jest. “Let there be no doubt:  Naas was a genius. He was not just a brilliant kicker of the ball, he was a footballer in every sense of the word.”

From left is Jeanine Groenewald, Cherie van Wyk, Charlotte Botha and Leonie Malherbe.