It’s Game On when the Sasol South African National Senior Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team takes on the powerful French All Star team in the four-Test Sasol All Star Series to be played at the Mandeville Sports Club, Bezuidenhout Valley, in Johannesburg from July 25 to August 1.

The Sasol All Star Series will tap-off at Mandeville on Friday, July 25 (19h00), with the second international to be played at the same venue on Saturday, July 26 (15h00). The third and fourth fixtures will take place at Mandeville on Sunday, July 27 (11h00) and Friday, August 1 (19h00).

The Sasol AmaWheelaBoys head coach Franck Belen will have a good understanding of the French players, having been head coach of their national team, before being recruited by Wheelchair Basketball SA, to head up the High Performance Programme for the sport in SA.

From the highly experienced recalled Paralympian Richard Nortjie, to the ever-eager 16-year-old Tshwane-based Crawford College Grade 10 pupil Steve Walgenbach, the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys – expect fireworks from the moment the local players chant and hand clap the inspirational Shosholoza song prior to tap-off.

Wheelchair Basketball CEO Charles Saunders said: “The French All Star team will arrive in SA on Thursday, July 24, with their talent set to provide a good test for the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys as part of the national team’s build up to next year’s Paralympic qualifiers.”

“We look forward to a super Sasol All Star Series and thank the sponsor for their loyal support to wheelchair basketball in this country in a road we have walked together since 2007. Entrance to the matches is free of charge, and we encourage sports fans to come to Mandeville and give the Sasol AmaWheelaBoys the support that they deserve.”

Sasol Sponsorship Specialist Dumisani Mbokane added: “The relatively young Sasol AmaWheelaBoys team showed immense character and potential during the international tournament in Morocco last month, and as a sponsor of both the national team and the Sasol All Star Series, we are pleased to create international sports opportunities for persons with disabilities, as they go on to become household names and role models across all communities.” 

The Sasol All Star AmaWheelaBoys team include: Tucker Beckett, Kyle Louw, Xolani Shabane, Cecil Dumond, Lisolomsi Mazantsana, Gift Mooketsi, Jaco Van Niekerk, Steven Walgenbach, KB Nkoana, Luvuyo Mbende, Shane Williams, Ike Monti, Simanga Mbhele, Thabane Tshange, Richard Nortje and Jaco Velloen.                            

ENDS