These three well-known cricket legends are part of the Lions Cricket organisation in different capacities. All three have taken receipt of their very own branded Mahindra XUV 700 luxury SUV.
Mahindra is a major sponsor of the Lions Cricket franchise, as well as of the Joburg Super Kings, who play in the annual SA20 Series.
“We are thrilled to welcome these cricket icons to the Mahindra family,” said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
“Their expertise and passion for developing cricket talent aligns perfectly with Mahindra’s commitment to excellence and community development. The XUV 700 represents our premium offering, designed for those who demand the best in performance and luxury. We believe that these three cricket legends personify these qualities, on and off the field.”
Jonty Rhodes
Known as one of cricket’s greatest fielders of all time, Rhodes represented South Africa in 52 Test matches and 245 One Day Internationals between 1992 and 2003.
His diving run-out of Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq during the 1992 World Cup remains one of cricket’s most iconic moments. Rhodes scored over 8 000 international runs and took 139 catches for South Africa, revolutionising the importance of fielding in modern cricket with his acrobatic style and commitment.
He joins the Lions Cricket franchise as a high-performance fielding consultant, thanks to Mahindra.
Allan Donald
One of the most famous bowlers ever to don the Proteas colours, Donald was South Africa’s first genuine fast bowling star after their return to international cricket.
Nicknamed “White Lightning” for his express pace, Donald claimed 330 Test wickets at an impressive average of 22.25 and 272 One Day International wickets during his illustrious career.
Donald became the first South African to take 300 Test wickets and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019 for his remarkable contributions to the sport.
He is already part of the Lions Cricket team as a bowling coach and will add a number of special training camps to his schedule, thanks to Mahindra.
Reeza Hendricks
A current member of both Lions Cricket and the Proteas, Hendricks has established himself as one of South Africa’s most elegant top-order batsmen.
Hendricks made history with a century on his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka in 2018, becoming the third South African to achieve this feat.
He has represented South Africa in over 100 international matches across formats and is known for his technical excellence and stylish stroke play. His consistent performances in domestic cricket have made him a cornerstone of the Lions batting lineup.
Rhodes, Hendricks and Donald will all host special camps at the Wanderers Stadium during this cricket season, with each one focusing on their specific area of expertise.
The two-day camps will be open for schools, clubs, coaches, Jozi Cup, Academy and young Colt players, as well as for professional men’s and women’s players. During these camps, the three Mahindra ambassadors and cricket legends will hold special talks hosted by Mahindra for guests and participants.
All three cricket legends will also make special appearances hosted specifically for fans and owners of Mahindra vehicles.
“Lions Cricket is a place where dreams come true and is known by many as the Home of Champions. The professional men and women teams are the current holders of the T20, 4-Day Series and 50 over Championships. Lions Cricket was also voted the Sport Organisation of the Year for the second consecutive year for not only the trophies they win inside the boundary ropes but also because of the impact, influence and inspiration they create outside them.
“We are very excited to welcome Jonty to our coaching staff and to empower Allan and Reeza to further share their expertise with players from all age groups. As before, our partnership with Mahindra has proven to be much more than just a commercial agreement and certainly a partnership where together we rise,” says Jono Leaf-Wright, CEO of Lions Cricket.
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The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan marked the first time the tournament was held in Asia, reflecting the sport’s growing global appeal. The competition featured 20 teams, with South Africa emerging as the champions after defeating England in the final. The next Rugby World Cup is scheduled for 2023 in France.
Are Ess Tee
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