Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

A last-minute sponsorship from the SEP Capital company has boosted the morale of the Golden Lions Rugby Union's Sevens team.

The team left yesterday to compete in the Safari Sevens tournament in Nairobi this weekend.

For the past four years the team has lost in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the same tournament.

Alec Theunissen, the sponsors' director, presented the team with rugby kit and bags at a function held at Ellis Park on Wednesday. They will also cover all the costs of the trip.

"It is an honour to be associated with the Golden Lions, who a have a proud tradition of rugby development.

"The union is probably leading in the promotion of the Sevens standard,'' said Theunissen.

Nkululeko Skweyiya, the team's coach, said this gesture would motivate his charges to pull out all the stops to lift the trophy.

The team wrapped up their preparations ahead of the tournament against the Emerging Springboks and the Emerging Sevens last week.