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Date
2025
Team
Stay Tuned
Inanda Club, Sandton
Johannesburg
11h00
Gates open
12h00 – 12h30
E-Wheel Polo: Fire Starters vs Outlaws
12h45 – 13h00
Fund-Raising Auction
13h15 – 13h45
Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Exhibition
14h25
National anthems
14h30
Main match | South Africa vs Argentina
16h00
Prize-giving
Join us again in 2025 and be the first to know about special releases, field-side picnics offerings, exclusive hospitality spaces, and thrilling polo.
Founded in 1934, Inanda ranks as one of the most prestigious polo clubs in Southern Africa. Nestled in the heart of the Sandton, the venue’s rich equestrian history provides an elegant backdrop for the country’s most anticipated polo event.
Your Uber drop-off and collection point will be via one of three Gates at the venue. Limited pre-arranged parking is available and not guaranteed. We encourage our patrons to celebrate the day with us in ultimate relaxation by making use of Uber and taxi services.
With a combined polo history spanning over four centuries, the best players from both nations will battle it out on the field in what is sure to be a thrilling display of dexterity, teamwork, and horsemanship.
The number assigned to the player who is the striker. The primary focus of this player is to be the “opportunist” and to score goals
The player who plays as the flanker wears the number two and should be relentless in ensuring forward play and act as the ”delivery man” to the striker
The pivotal “playmaker” wears the number three and acts as flyhalf to set up movements and play. This is usually the highest-rated player on the field
The player playing at full-back wears the number four as “the defender” and is the last line of defence but is also the initiator of attack
Mounted referees are responsible for enforcing the rules. There are always two on the field on horses to keep up with the players.
With a combined polo history spanning over four centuries, the best players from both nations will battle it out on the field in what is sure to be a thrilling display of dexterity, teamwork, and horsemanship.
The number assigned to the player who is the striker. The primary focus of this player is to be the “opportunist” and to score goals
The player who plays as the flanker wears the number two and should be relentless in ensuring forward play and act as the ”delivery man” to the striker
The pivotal “playmaker” wears the number three and acts as flyhalf to set up movements and play. This is usually the highest-rated player on the field
The player playing at full-back wears the number four as “the defender” and is the last line of defence but is also the initiator of attack
Mounted referees are responsible for enforcing the rules. There are always two on the field on horses to keep up with the players.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates on the teams and players.
Rules provided by The South African Polo Association. Visit their website for more information.
THE RULES
A match consists of 6-8 chukkas, each lasting seven minutes plus up to 30 seconds of overtime. A horn is blown at the end of 7 minutes to signal to the players that 30 seconds remain in the chukka. During the 30 seconds, play continues until a team scores, the ball goes out of play or a player commits a foul. During the breaks players are able to switch ponies.
Play takes place on a field of about 300 yards (275 metres) long by 160 yards (150 metres) wide. In theory, that is about the same size as six soccer pitches. The goal posts, which collapse on severe impact, are set eight yards apart.
There are 4 players on a team with each player assigned a distinctly different role according to their position. The Number 1 player is essentially a goal striker whose primary role is to score goals. The Number 2 player is also a forward, but plays harder, especially on defence. Number 3 is the pivotal player between offence and defence who tries to turn all plays to offence. He is usually the highest rated player on the team. The Number 4 player (or back), is essentially the most defensive player whose primary responsibility is to protect the goal area.
All players are rated on a scale of -2 to 10 (the higher the better). Although the word ‘goal’ is often used after the rating, it bears no relation to the number of goals a player scores in a match, but to their overall playing ability. A player’s horsemanship, range of strokes, speed of play, team and game sense are the factors considered in determining their handicap. The team handicap is the sum of its players’ handicaps. the team with the lower handicap is awarded the difference in goals at the start of the game. For example, a 26-goal team would give two goals start to a 24-goal team.
Any time the ball crosses, at any height, the line between the goal posts, it is considered a goal regardless of who knocks it through, including the pony. After each goal, the teams change ends (i.e. switch the halves they defend). This allows both teams equal opportunities to score in case the field or weather is working to one direction’s advantage (equalise wind and turf conditions). The game is continuous and can only be stopped if a foul is called, an injury occurs to either a polo pony or rider, or if a player’s tack is broken.
A match consists of 6-8 chukkas, each lasting seven minutes plus up to 30 seconds of overtime. A horn is blown at the end of 7 minutes to signal to the players that 30 seconds remain in the chukka. During the 30 seconds, play continues until a team scores, the ball goes out of play or a player commits a foul. During the breaks players are able to switch ponies.
Play takes place on a field of about 300 yards (275 metres) long by 160 yards (150 metres) wide. In theory, that is about the same size as six soccer pitches. The goal posts, which collapse on severe impact, are set eight yards apart.
There are 4 players on a team with each player assigned a distinctly different role according to their position. The Number 1 player is essentially a goal striker whose primary role is to score goals. The Number 2 player is also a forward, but plays harder, especially on defence. Number 3 is the pivotal player between offence and defence who tries to turn all plays to offence. He is usually the highest rated player on the team. The Number 4 player (or back), is essentially the most defensive player whose primary responsibility is to protect the goal area.
All players are rated on a scale of -2 to 10 (the higher the better). Although the word ‘goal’ is often used after the rating, it bears no relation to the number of goals a player scores in a match, but to their overall playing ability. A player’s horsemanship, range of strokes, speed of play, team and game sense are the factors considered in determining their handicap. The team handicap is the sum of its players’ handicaps. the team with the lower handicap is awarded the difference in goals at the start of the game. For example, a 26-goal team would give two goals start to a 24-goal team.
Any time the ball crosses, at any height, the line between the goal posts, it is considered a goal regardless of who knocks it through, including the pony. After each goal, the teams change ends (i.e. switch the halves they defend). This allows both teams equal opportunities to score in case the field or weather is working to one direction’s advantage (equalise wind and turf conditions). The game is continuous and can only be stopped if a foul is called, an injury occurs to either a polo pony or rider, or if a player’s tack is broken.
The Nedbank International Polo is proud to work with leading category partners in
support of South Africa’s inaugural international match fixture.
The South African Polo Association (SAPA) is the official administrative controlling body of polo in South Africa. All clubs affiliate through their provincial bodies to SAPA, which, in turn, affiliates to Hurlingham Polo Association (based in the UK) and Federacion Internationale de Polo (based in Argentina). SAPA’s constitution was first formulated in 1905, making it one of the oldest sporting bodies in the country.
The role of SAPA is to administer the annual fixture lists, what the handicaps of all players, disciplinary matters, help coordinate development initiatives and to govern policy relating to all matters regarding polo and polo ponies. SAPA is a Section 21 non-profit organisation and assists its affiliated provinces and clubs with interest free loans for the benefit of its members.
Visit the website for annual polo fixtures.
2024 Launch Press Release
2024 Nedbank International Polo Event Day Release
If you would like to partner with us, contact steven@equuscollection.com
bridget@sapolo.co.za
