The USA Hawks will face South Africa’s Rhinos in a historic rugby league series starting December 4, 2023. This marks the first time South Africa will host the Hawks. Both teams are focusing on developing local talent, featuring non-heritage players, and preparing for upcoming international competitions. The series will be streamed live, enhancing engagement in the sport.
The USA Hawks are poised to land at Oliver Tambo International Airport on December 2, marking a historic rugby league series against the South African Rhinos. These two teams are set to compete in a pair of Test matches that highlight the burgeoning talent within domestic rugby league and aim to foster development among local players. Notably, both teams will feature non-heritage players, underscoring their commitment to growing the sport at grassroots levels.
Their last encounter dates back to 2011 when the USA triumphed with a decisive 40-4 victory in Philadelphia. This upcoming series will represent South Africa’s first opportunity to host the Hawks on African soil. Under the leadership of team manager Billy Neilson and coach Sean Rutgerson, who has World Cup experience, the Hawks are expected to face a determined Rhinos side. The Rhinos are prepared by coach Fanie Bredenhann and team manager Andre Coetzer.
At present, South Africa holds the 28th position, while the USA remains at 31st in the IRL World Rankings. This series is crucial for the Rhinos as they seek to solidify their performance ahead of the 2025 IRL World Series, which is vital for qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Andre Coetzer expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming matches, stating, “We are excited to welcome the USA Hawks and look forward to what promises to be a competitive and high-quality series of matches. This is an incredible opportunity to test ourselves on the international stage.”
Furthermore, South Africa is recognizing its potential on the world stage by announcing their intention to bid for the 2030 IRL Men’s World Cup. Tickets for the matches are available at the venues, and for the first time, both games will be streamed live at www.sarugbyleague.co.za, as South African rugby league prepares to launch its own streaming platform. The opening Test will occur at Centurion Rugby Club in Pretoria on December 4, commencing at 18:00, followed by the second Test at Grizzlies Rugby Club on December 7 at 16:00.
The article discusses an upcoming series of rugby league matches between the USA Hawks and South African Rhinos, focused on enhancing domestic rugby talent and fostering international competition. Rugby league, particularly in regions like South Africa, has been striving for growth and increased visibility on the international stage, as evidenced by this series. The significance of non-heritage players in both teams highlights a strategic shift towards developing local talent. Furthermore, both teams are positioned within the IRL World Rankings, adding competitive stakes to their matches, which are seen as precursors to future World Cup competitions.
In summary, the upcoming Test series between the USA Hawks and South African Rhinos presents a pivotal moment for both teams to showcase their capabilities and progress within international rugby league. With the added context of the broader developmental strategy and the anticipation of future tournaments, these matches hold significant importance. The commitment to streaming and public engagement further marks a step forward for rugby league in South Africa, potentially garnering wider support and interest in the sport.
Original Source: www.intrl.sport
