Ford Everest hits the road with SA Rugby’s Champion Tour

PRETORIA, February 4, 2010 – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) together with SA Rugby is preparing to hit the road with world rugby’s most sought-after silverware. The convoy will visit schools and clubs across the country early in February to share the success of South African rugby with all supporters.

FMCSA has a long-standing relationship with SA Rugby, as the official vehicle sponsor of the Springbok Rugby team, the South African A team, the South African U-21 team and the South African Sevens team.

The recently launched Ford Everest is the perfect partner for the Champions Tour. SA Rugby is constructing a purpose built trailer for the Tour, complete with a fold-out stage and retractable roof. Two Ford Everests will be used by support staff that will travel with the trophy cabinet.

The Ford Everest combines traditional Ford toughness with Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) comfort. The new seven-seater SUV features bold styling, complete with chrome grill and tailgate mounted spare wheel. Three models are available, all powered by Ford’s acclaimed Duratorq 3.0 TDCi diesel engine. The engine employs advanced injection technology – intercooler and variable-geometry turbocharging – to deliver 115kW and 380Nm of peak torque at 1800rpm.
The Ford Everest is available in either 4×2 or 4×4 guise,  with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The contingent will travel all across South Africa taking the game to the people and showing them the trophies won by South African teams in 2009. Among the display will be the Vodacom Tri-Nations Trophy, the IRB Sevens World Series trophy, The British & Irish Lions series trophy, the Vodacom Super 14 trophy, the Freedom Cup and the Mandela Plate.

The display will also include the Rugby World Cup (won in 2007) and the icon of South African rugby, the Absa Currie Cup.

“South Africa enjoyed a formidable year in 2009 and the Champions Tour provides South African rugby supporters all across the country an excellent opportunity to share in these successes,” says Ben Pillay, Ford Marketing Manager,.
“The Ford Everest is perfectly suited to this application thanks to its go any-where ability and aptitude for adventure.”

The tour will start in Cape Town on Friday, February 5 and snake its way through all 14 provinces, including rugby “outposts” such as Springbok, Upington, Polokwane and Nelspruit before concluding in Durban on Sunday, March 21.
The vehicle will make 116 stops en route visiting close to 50 schools as well as clubs, shopping centres and rugby development projects managed by provincial unions in its near 7 000km journey.

“The Champions Tour is a fantastic opportunity to show case South Africa’s success in the world of rugby. We are proud to be part of this initiative and we look forward to sharing these achievements with the fans,” concludes Pillay

Tour Dates (subject to change)

1. Feb 5th Friday Cape Town +/-75 Cape Town
2. 6th  Saturday Cape Town +/-75 Cape Town
3. 7th  Sunday Cape Town 55 Stellenbosch
4. 8th Monday Stellenbosch 56 Paarl
5. 9th Tuesday Paarl 54 Worcester
6. 10th Wednesday Worcester 206 Saldanha
7. 11th Thursday Saldanha 260 Vredendal
8. 12th Friday Vredendal 280 Springbok
9. 13th Saturday Springbok 375 Upington
10. 14th Sunday Upington 408 Calvinia
11. 15th Monday Calvinia 525 Oudtshoorn
12. 16th Tuesday Oudtshoorn 108 Mosselbay
13. 17th Wednesday George 57 George
14. 18th Thursday Knysna 298 Uitenhage
15. 19th Friday Port Elizabeth 30 Port Elizabeth
16. 20th Saturday Port Elizabeth +/-75 Port Elizabeth
17. 21st Sunday Peddie 140 Port Alfred
18. 22nd Monday Port Alfred 160 East London
19. 23rd Tuesday Queenstown 179 Queenstown
20. 24th Wednesday Queenstown 518 Kimberley
21. 25th Thursday Kimberley +/-75 Kimberley
22. 26th Friday Kimberley 161 Bloemfontein
23. 27th Saturday Bloemfontein +/-75 Bloemfontein
24. 28th Sunday Bloemfontein 255 Bethlehem
25. Mar 1st Monday Bethlehem 175 Welkom
26. 2nd Tuesday Welkom +/-75 Welkom
27. 3rd Wednesday Welkom 64 Kroonstad
28. 4th Thursday Kroonstad 118 Klerksdorp
29. 5th  Friday Klerksdorp 47 Potchefstroom
30. 6th  Saturday Potchefstroom 188 Rustenburg
31. 7th  Sunday Rustenburg 126 Johannesburg
32. 8th Monday Johannesburg 83 Sasolburg
33. 9th Tuesday Johannesburg +/-75 Johannesburg
34. 10th Wednesday Johannesburg +/-75 Johannesburg
35. 11th Thursday Johannesburg +/-75 Johannesburg
36. 12th Friday Johannesburg +/-75 Pretoria/Johannesburg
37. 13th Saturday Pretoria +/-75 Pretoria
38. 14th Sunday Pretoria 209 Polokwane
39. 15th Monday Polokwane 293 Witbank
40. 16th Tuesday Witbank 216 Nelspruit
41. 17th Wednesday Nelspruit 201 Ermelo
42. 18th Thursday Ermelo 153 Newcastle
43. 19th Friday Newcastle 267 Pietermaritzburg
44. 20th Saturday Pietermaritzburg 70 Durban
45. 21st Sunday Durban +/-75 Durban
    Total distance (estimated) 7160Km