Background

The London South Africans Rugby Football Club (LSA) was formed by some of the leading stakeholders in the game of rugby union in the UK and South Africa. From its inception, LSA has been proud to be able to draw upon the support and knowledge of leading names in the world of professional rugby – Victor Matfield (Bulls & South Africa), Jake Boer (Gloucester RFC) Michael Horak (London Irish & England) and Stuart Abbott (Harlequins& England) – all of whom are keen to see LSA grow as a club for South Africans.

LSA is an inclusive club and whilst our roots are in the South African community in London we are keen to welcome all rugby players and followers who are keen to become part of our club and share in our journey through the leagues of English Rugby.

Chairman's message for the 2007/8 season

Come and join the fastest growing rugby club in the UK..

If you are visiting London in the near future then don’t be surprised if you hear a South African accent. There are approximately 750,000 South Africans living in England (nobody knows the exact figure). Most South Africans visit London after school for travel and work experience, some return, but a lot of the visitors have stayed in London and there is now a huge South African community. 

London South Africa Rugby Football Club (RFC) is a new rugby club in Surrey at which rugby mad South Africans (and other nationalities) gather on a Saturday afternoon to play and scream their hearts out with a passion for rugby and for victory. And we want to grow that number into the thousands... Over ambitious? Radical?

None of the above. Realistic. Remember when that little Paris rugby club started called Stade Francais. Now they play in pink shirts in front of 80,000 spectators and own the biggest selling sports calendar in France.

The facilities at Imber Court are outstanding and I envisage a time soon when the stadium will be full each week and the club becomes a real focal point for the community...

The interest in the Club is huge... Leading players will want to join the club. Rugby supporters will have a common passion. A home away from home will be built, a new brand created.  

At LSA we are lucky to have the support of two leading player management agencies to assist the club in recruiting quality players.

Herein lies one of the strengths of the club. Whether it be England players like Mike Catt, Stuart Abbott, Mike Horak, Geoff Appleford, Matt Stevens or Fraser Waters or Springboks like Victor Matfield, Bolla Conradie, AJ Venter or Werner Greeff, there will come a time when they wish to play for a successful South African team in the UK.

However the ‘London’ part of the club should not be forgotten and without doubt, our club will create junior teams developing future stars. All leading sports teams have world class academy facilities and it is our plan to provide young players with an opportunity and access to the best coaching and sports science. 

We are also lucky to boast a superb team of volunteers and management working under Head Coach Bob Crooks, including, Trevor Johnson (Team Manager), Nicky Prins (Press Officer) amongst others..

Dick Best (former England Head Coach) has been extremely supportive and his experience of community rugby in London has is invaluable. We are building a very good relationship with Surrey rugby and we hope to return their support in years to come by developing a world class facility. I would also like to thank John Vale of the Rugby Football Union for being sensible and supportive and recognizing the potential of our club to benefit the local community.

Whilst sitting watching my first game, I realised how much fun it is going to be for everyone in building the club. The vision is to be playing in front of 60,000 spectators and winning the top competitions in Europe –Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup. The management has some innovative business ideas and is committed to working hard to grow the club.

Last but not least, LSA is an inclusive club and whilst our roots are in the South African community in London we are keen to welcome all rugby players and followers who are keen to become part of club and share in our journey through the leagues of English Rugby.

I wish all the players and supporters the best for the 2007/08 season.

Chairman

London South Africa