The endurance race in the unforgiving Verneukpan in the heart of the Northern Cape is aimed at raising funds to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
BAFANA Bafana soccer legends Teko Modise, Siyabonga Nomvete and Mathew Booth set off on Sunday, September 27 for the start of their BrightRock “Battle of the Sports” 200km endurance race in the unforgiving Verneukpan in the heart of the Northern Cape all in a bid to raise funds to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bafana legends, accompanied by their team manager Neil Tovey, will join expedition leader Erik Vermeulen over the next 96 hours of the race to see if they can beat the blistering pace already set by the rugby and running teams.
Booth, who retired in 2014, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to be part of a team again and challenge himself.
Modise said that the challenge is something he was looking forward to. “I have a naturally competitive nature and pitting our skills against other codes is something we have never done. As Team Soccer we need to push ourselves further as footballers and this is a great opportunity,”
Nomvethe agreed saying the mental strength of the players will be a big advantage. “We know it is going to be tough but we are all used to playing in inhospitable stadiums and environments, particularly in Africa, so the terrain should not be too much of a challenge,” he said.
Team Manager, Neil Tovey is confident that Team Soccer will do well. “As soccer players we have led a blessed life and now is our chance to support those affected by the pandemic. It’s about helping thousands of South Africans that need support.
Clive Grinaker founder of NGO, Events to Aid who have partnered with Right to Care, a leading healthcare non-profit organisation, said: “For those that haven’t been following the Challenge, we are appealing to all sports fans to support their heroes and donate to this worthy cause”.
The organisers urged all South Africans to get involved by supporting the sports teams who are doing the Verneukpan 200 km challenge by donating to this worthy cause. Supporters can also challenge themselves and their friends. In any physical activity of their choice.
More details are available at: www.battleofthesports.co.za to enter and sponsor your team.
Also fans can film their events and upload them to the organioser’s social pages.
They can also the hashtag: #battleofthesportschallenge #lovechange when posting on social media.
This is how the teams lined up for the Battle of the Sports:
• Rugby: September 5-9
• Running: September 16-20
• Soccer: September 27-October 1
• Cricket: October 8-12
Challenge Teams:
• Rugby: Hanyani Shimange, John Smit & Schalk Brits. Managed by Butch James.
• Running: Bongmusa Mthembu, David Gatebe & Jenna Challenor. Managed by Bruce Fordyce.
• Soccer: Matthew Booth, Siyabonga Nomvethe & Teko Modise. Managed by Neil Tovey.
• Cricket: Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki. Managed by Jonty Rhodes.
