It was a perfect day of sunshine and blue skies as the 110th Prince of Wales Cup took place at the Rosefield Polo Club on Sunday.
Sponsored by Liberty, the event, dubbed Africa’s grandest polo tournament, was attended by fans of the sport as well as spectators who wanted to learn more about it.
The sport has no specific age requirements.
For this match, 31 ponies were lent to the teams. The ponies were switched after a period of play.
For the first time Kenya played in South Africa. The event was also attended by celebrities including Blue Mbombo, Dineo Moeketsi, Sonia Mbele and Omuhle Gela.
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“Polo is a sport of true bonding between a player and his pony. Whether you are an aficionado of the game or simply enticed by the allure of the polo lifestyle, you will appreciate why this is one of the fastest growing sports. This year’s cup is dedicated to Africa and her legacy,” said Mr Concierge managing director Kgomotso Moloiswa.
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The Parktown Boys brass band started the festivities with a march up and down the field.
Clive Peedle, managing director of the South African Polo Association, said the vision for the Prince of Wales Polo Cup was to make it one of the premier polo tournaments in Joburg.
Chief marketing officer of Liberty Sydney Mbhele said the Polo cup was built on a legacy that has resulted in one of the most prestigious polo tournaments in Africa. With every polo tourney comes the divot stomp, a tradition most recognised in the sport. During halftime spectators are invited to go on the field to socialise and stomp the divots-holes in the ground created during the game by the horses’ hooves.
After six chukkas (a period of play of about seven minutes each), the match saw South Africa come out tops winning the game by seven points to six after five minutes of extra time.
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