How to get involved with the Gwijo Squad

Gwijo Squad will be attending the rugby match on Saturday 16 August, as they have traditionally done over the years with any match that the Springboks play at the iconic stadium.
Gwijo Squad has secured a limited number of stadium tickets.
If you would like to join a bunch of rugby enthusiasts, friendly individuals who love showing their support for the Springboks, you can click here to book your seat to be part of the activities.

Get your green and gold attire ready as all roads lead to Emirates Airline Park.

Phambili!

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Arrival at the Bok hotel

A number of members will arrive at the hotel and begin to sing amagwijo – a tradition that goes back to high schools days when it came to big derby match weekends.

Gwijo Squad was contacted by the producers of Carte Blanche, the investigative television show, to see if they couldn’t follow the squad to the Sing-Song. The film crew arrived just before the proceedings began.

Sing-Song at the Bok hotel

The Sing-Song lasts for just over an hour, but the impact it has on the players is nothing short of positive vibes and love from the Gwijo Squad members.
As Gwijo Squad began to sing amagwijo, the captain Siya Kolisi was heading into the hotel for some downtime, but he just couldn’t stop himself from running over to the squad and joining in.
The moment he arrived, the tempo picked up and the energy was electric.

Click here to watch a video of the #GwijoSquadSingSong

Siya Kolisi thanked Gwijo Squad for putting together the sing-song. Click here to watch. 

What an incredible experience as always with the team.

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The trip

The match tickets were booked months before hand. The squad was excited on embarking on the trip.
The members got to book their spaces on the trip and the countdown started for the first trip away.

The journey

On the morning of the match, Saturday 7 August, the bus arrived bright and early to collect the excited 25 strong Gwijo Squad.
The packed lunches were packed, the overnight bags were loaded and the special Gwijo Squad merchandise had been handed over.

The self-appointed captain, Mzwandile Riba, said a motivational speech to get the trip going.

At the halfway stop, the infamous Petroport N4 Alzu, the squad got out to stretch their legs and get their voices warmed up a tad bit with some of the locals joining in.
We managed to get to the Nelspruit in the planned time, checked the members into their allocated rooms.
A quick two hours to relax, take a nap and get ready to head to the stadium.

Gwijo Squad arrives at Mbombela Stadium

All the members got onto the bus to head straight to the stadium. Gwijo Squad members were excited to watch the Springboks play live for the first time in two years (due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

As we arrived to the stadium, we made our way to our seats the usual way – in song.
The experience was completely breathtaking. The cherry onto was the South African national men’s rugby team winning against the New Zealand team.

What a match. What an atmosphere. What an experience.

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“Like I said at the time of the draw, to be in the same pool as Ireland and Scotland will be a massive challenge, but to win the tournament, you have to be able to beat all the teams and we will be properly tested in the pool phrases,” says Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber.

 

With the match dates and venues confirmed, it is time for Gwijo Squad to start the preparation of attending the Rugby World Cup 2023.

The members tried to be part of the Japan edition in 2019, which saw the team they support, Springboks, lift the Webb Ellis Cup when they beat England in the final on 2 November 2019.
The preparations for the 2023 tournament have been finalised and Gwijo Squad will be heading to France in 2023 to support the Springboks in the Quarterfinal match. 

The idea of witnessing Siya lift back-to-back World Cups with the Gwijo Squad in full cry  is an opportunity I definitely won’t be missing out on, says Gwijo Squad committee member Malibuye Cossie 

There will be packages made available for the members along with payment plans for the trip of a lifetime.
The packages will include flights, accommodation and official Springbok match tickets.

The Gwijo Squad will be approaching relevant businesses seeking sponsorships to assist with some of the financials – to make the trip affordable for the members.
There are fundraising efforts that are in the pipeline as well. 

#GwijoSquadRWC2023

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Who was in the running?

The votes were to access which Springbok matches the members would like to watch as a Gwijo Squad family.
Here are the opponents, venues and dates that were on the poll.
vs Scotland, DHL Newlands | 4 July
vs Scotland, Jonsson Kings Park |  11 July
vs Georgia, Nelson Mandela Bay | 18 July

vs Argentina, Emirates Airline Park | 8 August
vs Australia, Loftus Versfeld Stadium |  19 September
vs New Zealand, Mbombela Stadium | 26 September

The results are in!

How exciting!
Emirates Airline Park has definitely become our official stadium of choice – our home ground so to say. We will most certainly be there in full voice on Saturday 8 August.
Mbombela Stadium came in a close second place, which means Gwijo Squad will be heading out of Gauteng for the first time as a Squad, to Nelspruit for our first overnight trip.
Start saving folks, exciting times are ahead.

Loftus Versfeld makes it to third place, followed by DHL Newlands in Cape Town.
And falling into 5th and 6th choice is Jonsson Kings Park and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium respectively.
Thank you to all who took the time to cast their vote. It really helps to know exactly where the members want to go watch the Springboks play.

How to book tickets

The preparations to go watch the Springboks play at Emirates Airline Park, Mbombela Stadium and Loftus Versfeld are well underway.
The team is booking tickets, arranging transport and of course for the Nelspruit leg, checking out accommodation in the area.
Budgets are getting drawn up.
As per usual, payment instalments to secure your ticket and bus seat will be made available to Gwijo Squad members and any who wish to experience a rugby match with the Gwijo Squad family.

There are only 152 days until we attend our first rugby match against Argentina, at Emirates Airline Park – the countdown has begun.

We can’t wait to start making tickets available for our members soon.

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Springboks’ 2020 match opponents

The six home Tests have been announced for 2020.
The Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches (New Zealand, Australia and Argentina) will take place in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The Castle Lager Incoming Series (Scotland and Georgia) will be hosted on the coast.

Playing the field

DHL Newlands Stadium, in Cape Town, will host it’s final Springbok match ever, as the oldest Test stadium in the Southern Hemisphere, prepares to go ‘under-the-knife’.
The lovely humid city of Durban will host the Springboks at Jonsson Kings Park.
Georgia will be hosted by the Friendly City on Mandela Day at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Argentina will play the Boks at Emirates Airline Park, which has become the Gwijo Squad’s unofficial home ground stadium.
The clash with Australia will be played at Loftus Versfeld, where the men from Down Under have yet to win against the Boks, and where Gwijo Squad in 2019 had a blast of a time.
Nelspruit will bring with it the Mbombela Stadium, where the Boks will play New Zealand for the first time ever at it. Should the Gwijo Squad vote to attend this clash, it will be the Squad’s first out of province (and overnight) trip.

“The Springboks had a fantastic season last year which resulted in successes in both the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup and we saw the passion for the Boks from all South Africans upon their return from Japan,” – SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux

Who gets to vote?

Unfortunately, the Gwijo Squad will not be able to attend all the matches, but the Squad can try and attend the matches that the members would like to attend!

Rank the matches that YOU would like the Gwijo Squad to attend in 2020!

* All options cast before the closing date will be considered.
* Closing date of the poll is on Friday 28 February. 

SBWL to go to all the matches but the way the Cyril economy is structured…
Get your say today and get involved!

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