As of April 1 this year the provincial rugby franchise will now be known as Windhoek Draught Griquas. The team’s home ground will henceforth also be renamed to Windhoek Draught Park.
THE TAFEL Lager Griquas are changing brand as its principal sponsor Namibian Breweries Ltd (NBL) repositions some of its premier offerings in the South African clear beer market.
As of April 1 this year the provincial rugby franchise will now be known as Windhoek Draught Griquas. The team’s home ground will henceforth also be renamed to Windhoek Draught Park.
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) April 1, 2022
These name changes to the team and the stadium should be visible to the public as of Monday as new advertisement boards bearing the new team logo have gone up on the stadium grounds announcing the rebranding of the franchise.
The Namibian company’s global sponsorship and events manager Daniel Keulder spoke to the DFA about the change in branding for the provincial rugby franchise.
“It is with great pleasure that Namibia Breweries Limited announces the change in sponsoring brand for the Griquas Rugby team from Tafel Lager to Windhoek Draught,” said Keulder.
“The Griquas rugby team will now formally be known as the ‘Windhoek Draught Griquas’ while the stadium will also now be known as Windhoek Draught Park’.”
💥 Windhoek Draught Griquas vs. Cell C Sharks !
💪 06 April 2022 – 17:45
📍 Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
🎫 Tickets on sale at all Computicket Outlets and at the gates#WindhoekDraughtGriquas #TheChampionWithin #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/9aadTFsu2N— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) April 1, 2022
According to Keulder, this change kicked into action on April 1, 2022 with the start of the new contract.
“With an internal shift in focus from Tafel Lager to the Windhoek trademark in South Africa, it made sense to change the sponsoring brand to Windhoek Draught in order to support this shift.
“Namibia Breweries Limited has built up a fantastic relationship with Griquas Rugby under the Tafel Lager brand and would like to continue this relationship under the Windhoek Draught Brand for the coming years.
“The goal for this sponsorship is to speak to two passion points of consumers. Their love for great beer combined with the joy and passion for rugby.”
🔵SUPPORT WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS THIS WEDNESDAY !#WindhoekDraughtGriquas #TheChampionWithin #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/t98ZS4WGZV
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) April 4, 2022
Griquas Rugby Union were approached for comment on the changes. The rugby franchise’s public relations did not respond directly, but instead issued a team list for the side bearing that name.
According to that statement, the team that will run out onto the park on Wednesday evening against the Cell C Sharks at 5.45pm in the domestic Carling Currie Cup series this week will do so with the kit bearing the new beer brand logo.
