In addition to the company’s 5-year commitment to Springbok Rugby as official vehicle partner – announced in May 2011 – BMW South Africa has announced a number of local rugby icons to act as ambassadors for the premium German vehicle brand.

Alongside Springbok captain, Jean De Villiers (DHL Stormers) and Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, the BMW ambassadors include Schalk Burger (DHL Stormers), Pierre Spies and Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls) and Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen and Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks).

BMW has also appointed Springbok rugby legend Victor Matfield as a non-playing ambassador. Matfield will act as host for BMW’s VIP hospitality suites at local matches as well provide expert content for the company’s rugby-specific website.

As part of the agreement, each playing ambassador receives a brand new BMW 335i Sport, built at Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria. De Villiers, Meyer and Matfield also each receive a BMW X6 XDrive40d in addition to their BMW 3 Series vehicles.

“It’s a real privilege for me to be one of BMW’s Springbok Ambassadors and to be driving these brilliant cars,” explains Springbok Captain, Jean de Villiers. “As the Boks we strive to be the best in the world and this is shared by BMW, probably one of the most iconic car brands in the world. This passion for performance is clearly evident in the products we’re driving.”