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Local Rugby Star now a Laureus SA Ambassador

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Springbok Sevens playmaker Cecil Afrika was on Wednesday confirmed as the latest Laureus South Africa Ambassador, joining the ranks of other illustrious South African sports personalities such as Springboks Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger, Shaun Pollock, Mike Horn, Lucas Radebe and Natalie du Toit.

The announcement was made on earlier today at the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Newlands, which was attended by various sports, business and media personalities.

Afrika was named the IRB Sevens Player of the Year in 2011 following his many outstanding performances for the Blitzbokke in the HSBC Sevens World Series, where he scored 40 tries and amassed 385 points overall.

He is also an IRB Sevens “Keep Rugby Clean” Ambassador and is one of the most popular players on the World Series circuit. Afrika is currently recovering from a knee injury which has forced him to miss round two of the World Series in Dubai this weekend. Depending on his recovery, Afrika might be considered for selection for the South African leg of the World Series next weekend, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth (8 and 9 December).

Afrika said he was deeply touched by the invitation to be part of the Laureus ambassadorial programme.

“The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses the power of sport to make a difference in the lives of many people and I am really honoured to be involved. My participation in sport has allowed me to experience many great things which I normally would only have dreamt about. I am therefore grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to assist Laureus in their many community outreach and development projects.”

Springbok rugby legend Morné du Plessis is the chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in South Africa.

The mission of the international Laureus Foundation is to use sport as an instrument to combat some of the world’s toughest social challenges facing young people today such as juvenile crime, gangs, HIV/Aids, discrimination, social exclusion, landmines awareness and health problems such as obesity.

Afrika will be playing in the Port Elizabeth leg of the Sevens Tournament on 8 and 9 December at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.