Friend of the SRBlog Rolf has been in touch with some details of an event he is involved in South Africa next year, the Social Rugby World Championships:

Every rugby player has at one time or another worn the boots of their rugby heroes – standing in the back garden imagining the kick that’ll win the World Cup Final for his team.

From Opunake, New Zealand to Clonakilty, Ireland the dreams remain the same. For most, these dreams fade, but for 480 social rugby players these dreams will finally be realised from 13 to 26 June 2009 when the inaugural Social Rugby World Championships kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa.

The tournament, with teams from across the globe, promises to be packed with great running rugby, good times, healthy competition and new friendships being formed.

SOCIAL RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

• 16 international teams
• 480 rugby players
• 2 weeks of socialising and rugby
• 40 matches
• 1000’s of spectators
• 4 finals – Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield
• 1 of the world’s most beautiful cities
• 1 social outreach programme that’ll help change the lives of players and previously disadvantaged communities forever.

The groundbreaking Social Rugby World Championships – coinciding with the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa – is the perfect opportunity to make some new friends, enjoy a few games of social rugby, visit the most beautiful city in the world (our unbiased opinion) and watch the Lions in action (probably getting thumped by the current World Champions – also an unbiased opinion).

While I take issue with the Lions jibe, it sounds like a great idea so if you have a team that you think might be interested, spread the word! More details on www.srwc2009.co.za.

On other fronts, we realise we have been a bit slack lately but Wimbledon was on. Although also on summer break, Al and I have thankfully (or is that unfortunately?) not been involved in any late-night hotel-based scandals with foreign lovelies, nor re-constructive surgeries of any kind.

Like the rest of the world, we’ll be back to oval balls soon.