In terms of the agreement, the Land Rover brand will be represented on the kit of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province in the Vodacom Super Rugby, the Absa Currie Cup and the Vodacom Cup tournaments.
The local sponsorship complements Land Rover's global association with rugby, and in addition to the distinctive branding, a fleet of vehicles will be supplied to a number of Western Province players and management.
Kevin Flynn, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa (JLR SA & SSA) said the announcement marks a significant development in the partnership between Land Rover and rugby. "The brand is proud of its latest partnership at this level of the sport and it is fitting our vehicles should support Western Province Rugby. It also dovetails perfectly with the build-up to Land Rover's partnership with the 2015 Rugby World Cup."
The full range of Land Rover models will join the DHL Western Province squad; from the iconic Defender to the all-new Range Rover Sport. A number of senior DHL Stormers and DHL WP athletes were present at the announcement, as well as top management and executives.
"We are delighted to welcome Land Rover to the family. This long-term partnership with one of the world's most recognisable brands further enhances the enormous prestige and attraction of WP Rugby, both locally and nationally," WPRFU president, Thelo Wakefield, said. "Land Rover is a true champion of rugby from community to elite level and we look forward to working closely with the company in the future."
"DHL Newlands has a capacity of almost 48,000, and we hope to fill it to the brim - aided by Land Rover owners in the Western Province - for the DHL Stormers' first Vodacom Super Rugby home game on Friday, 28 February when they take on the Hurricanes," concluded Flynn.
