Celebrities to hit PE for Sixes

Port Elizabeth will play host to the first of six Celebrity Cricket Sixes tournaments to be held at venues across South Africa from September 24.

Organisers have announced an all-star line-up of over 50 sporting icons and entertainers who will make up the six-a-side teams doing battle in the name of fun and charity.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event in PE, Kemsley Park has been chosen as the new venue for the kick-off of the nationwide tour.

Thereafter, the road show will visit Bloemfontein (October 16), Randburg (October 23), Pretoria (November 5), Durban (November 19) and Cape Town (November 26).

Although the format resembled that of the Hong Kong Sixes, organiser Laurence Finn said the public could expect to see rugby, soccer and cricket World Cup icons go up against Olympic athletes and entertainers.

Makhaya Ntini heads up the host of famous faces that includes fellow cricketers Dave Callaghan, Kenny McEwan, Pieter Strydom and Rudi Bryson, who will each captain a side.

Some of the most recognisable rugby names in the squad are Springbok legends Danie Gerber, Robbie Kempson and De Wet Barry, and EP Kings players Rory Duncan, Mzwandile Stick and Jaco van Schalkwyk.

They will be joined by Olympic pole-vaulter Okkert Brits, javelin thrower Philip Spies and former national superbike champion Arushen Moodley, among others.

Finn said the idea for the tournament originated in England, but his company had secured the South African licensing rights and added the celebrity twist.

“You always sit at home and wonder which sporting celebs would be good at another sport. This tournament answers those questions.”

He said the unique handicap format allows teams to remain competitive. “Each team consists of a national cricket legend, a provincial cricketer, a rugby legend, two other non-cricketers as well as a business figure.”

As the fastest form of cricket, Finn said the Celebrity Cricket Sixes was designed for entertainment. “Each tournament consists of 10 matches and each of these lasts for six overs a side.”

He said the response from celebrity participants had been positive. “They had all heard about last year’s event and were keen to help us take it national.”

Finn said all the players had donated their time because it was for a good cause. The event’s charitable beneficiaries are the Cancer Association of South Africa and JAG Foundation.

As was the case last year, players will interact with spectators before, during and after matches.

All Rugby World Cup matches would be shown live on the big screen, said Finn. “Who wouldn’t want to watch a test match alongside your favourite sporting icon?”

Each tournament features a charity dinner the evening before where celebrities will share their funniest stories. The PE dinner takes place on Friday, September 23, and the theme – “What happens on tour, stays on tour; or does it?” – says it all.

The cost is R2 500 for a table of 10 or R250 per person. A spitbraai is included.

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