MOTORING NEWS - Land Rover has announced that it is the new associate sponsor and official vehicle partner of the Springbok team, starting September. 

It will invest further in the national sport by partnering with the South African Rugby Union (Saru).

"Land Rover has supported global rugby for more than two decades. Here in South Africa, we are involved with local unions, clubs and rural schools to support development of the sport. 

"By signing on as an associate sponsor and vehicle partner to the Springboks, we plan to drive those efforts even further, using the best ambassadors in the sport," said Richard Gouverneur, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa.

Off the field, Land Rover enables the Springboks to participate in initiatives like Rugby Goes Rural, Moments that Matter and Hope Crosses Any Terrain. 

Rugby Goes Rural sport clinics are hosted by Land Rover's rugby ambassadors at rural schools throughout the country, including areas where the athletes grew up. 

The programme forms part of Land Rover's Hope Crosses Any Terrain programme, which is part of Jaguar Land Rover's global corporate social responsibility programme.

Land Rover will be a Worldwide Partner of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and the company sees this as the start of its new relationship with Saru to reinforce the brand's commitment to the sport.

Saru and Springbok players will receive support from Land Rover in the form of official team vehicles. Fans and communities will also benefit, with Land Rover planning to grow involvement and interaction at stadiums, fan-zone displays and through its retail network.

"We are thrilled to welcome Land Rover to the family. I'd like to thank them for their support and this show of faith in the Springboks and SA rugby," said Jurie Roux, CEO of Saru.

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