SA take on NZ in five-Test series

SOUTHERN hemisphere sports pride will be on the line when the Sasol SA senior men’s wheelchair basketball team take on the New Zealand Roller Blacks in the Sasol All Star Series at the Mandeville Sports Centre, Bez Valley, from tomorrow until next Saturday.

The first Test takes place tomorrow (7pm start), followed by further internationals on Saturday (3pm) and Sunday (2pm). The remaining Tests are scheduled for next Friday (7pm) and Saturday (6pm).

Sasol Amawheelaboys head coach Franck Belen said the series will allow his team to gauge their progress ahead of the International Wheelchair Basketball African qualifiers in Algeria in October. “It’s always special when the Sasol Amawheelaboys play Tests in front of the home fans,” said Belen. “The players are looking forward to the challenge, determined to give their best.”

Belen, who coached France to a silver medal at the World Championships in Birmingham in 2010 before joining Wheelchair Basketball SA (WBSA) as national team assistant coach shortly before the 2012 London Paralympics, said the SA team consists of a good mix of experience and youth.

Richard Nortje has represented South Africa at several Paralympics and his experience will be invaluable. Likewise, Gift Mooketsi is a stalwart of the national team and has played wheelchair basketball abroad at club level. Promising youngsters Jack Mokgosi, Tucker Beckett and Steven Walgenbach will also give fans much to cheer about.

Sasol are offering fans a chance to win a weeklong trip to New Zealand. To enter the competition, SMS the letters ‘SS’, the name of the official sponsor of the Amawheelaboys, your full name and cellphone number to 41895. The competition closes at midnight next Wednesday, and the draw will be during the final Test next Saturday when one lucky fan will win R5000. T-shirts will be given away for the first 50 fans throught the door.