Toyota drives Free State Rugby
Following the sponsorship announcement made on Wednesday, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is set to power forward with Cheetahs rugby. In the sponsorship deal facilitated by MEGAPRO, Toyota has secured a three year naming rights sponsorship to both the Cheetahs Super Rugby team and the Free State Cheetahs teams.
At the dazzling launch event held at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Dr. Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors stated, “We at Toyota are delighted to expand our involvement in the great game of rugby and are proud to be associated with one of the premier regional and provincial teams in the country.”
Dr. Van Zyl highlighted that the characteristics inherent in Free State rugby resonate strongly with the core values of Toyota, as well as with certain vehicle models in particular. It was noted that another aspect of Toyota’s commitment to rugby is the sport’s huge following countrywide, in all spheres of the population.
Harold Verster, President of the Free State Rugby Union expressed his enthusiasm around the new deal saying, “We are very excited about our new partnership with Toyota and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the company.”
In parallel to the launch event in Bloemfontein, celebrations were also held at MEGAPRO’s offices at Media City in Sandton with senior members of Toyota’s marketing division. Dave Jenkins, MEGAPRO CEO commented, “MEGAPRO has represented Cheetah’s rugby as their exclusive commercial agent for many years and is proud to have enabled this powerful new partnership for the Cheetah’s Company.” He wished both the teams much success for the coming season.
From left: Ferdi de Vos - General Manager Corporate PR, Toyota; Gavin Smith – Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, MEGAPRO; Kerry Roodt – General Manager Marketing Communications, Toyota; Graham Abrahams – Chairman of the Board, Free State Cheetahs Rugby Union; David Jenkins – CEO, MEGAPRO.
From left: Naka Drotske - Free State Cheetahs Coach; Tiaan Strauss – General Manager Rugby, MEGAPRO; Harold Verster – President of the Free State Cheetahs Rugby Union; Heinrich Brussow – Cheetahs and Springbok Rugby Player.
From left: Dr. Johan van Zyl – Toyota; Juan Smith – Cheetahs Captain; Mr. Sandile Msibi – Bloemfontein City Manager.
