When the Bokke toast their next victory they’ll be able to raise a glass of wine made by three of their teammates.
If you didn’t spot Scarra Ntubeni, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi on the rugby field, it’s probably because they were busy making wine in the vineyards.
It was Scarra who got the guys involved in the wine-making project that he started with Mitre’s Edge winery, to raise funds for the WP Rugby President’s Trust.
Scarra says: “We want to make a difference, while we are still actively involved in the game. We are hoping that this could help in some way to assist young players and create some opportunities for them.”
The players were involved every step of the way, from picking the grapes to finally bottling the 2015 ES Merlot.
Scarra says it was all for a good cause: “Sometimes you just need a chance to develop your rugby career further and this initiative can hopefully make a positive contribution. Although this is a relatively small project, it will start at grassroots level where transformation needs to happen.”
Winemaker Lola Nicholls says she was impressed with the players’ handling skills.
“It is really rewarding to be part of a process which could be responsible for unearthing a future star on the rugby field,” she says.
It’s a limited edition wine and only 500 bottles were produced. It’s available in a box set at R1 000 a pop.
All proceeds are going to the WP Rugby President’s Trust.