Polo: South Africa vs USA

It was the Polo event of the Joburg season - maybe even the entire South African Polo season. The second and deciding match of the two day BMW International Polo Series. USA vs South Africa. The first match was held last Sunday in Durban and it was a draw. So everything was on the line on this, the second day of play.

Vince and I had gone to the Prince of Wales Cup about a month ago, partly to watch some polo and partly to figure out all the ins and outs of attending a polo match in South Africa.

With all the publicity surrounding this international series - the billboards were everywhere! - we knew it would be a bigger draw than the Prince of Wales. We had a bunch of American joining us to root root root for the home team and one of them even had a tent they wanted to erect to keep us all in the shade.

We needn't had bothered doing a recon at the Prince of Wales as they changed all the rules on us in the interim.


Last time we were able to drive onto the bank inside the gate and park, unload and set up on our spot right in front of our car like a proper tail gate. This time we were told we had to park across the street and carry our stuff over to the field. No no, that will not do. We had a ton of stuff and the tents and coolers were heavy.
 
Luckily I was able to convince one of the VIP golf cart drivers to ferry our stuff over for us. "Yes this will do just fine, thank you."



We chose a spot halfway between the Grey Goose Prive tent and the Sky Vodka Lounge. Nice.

We put up our double-wide (a tent and a tarp) and set up our chairs.

It had a perfect view!

Next change of rules. No dogs allowed. We brought Lou & Serge to the BMW completely based on the number of dogs we counted at the Prince of Wales. Lots. There was nothing on the SA Polo Association's website - for the Wales or the BMW - advising us that dogs were verboten. So we assumed we were good. You know what they say about assuming, right? Poor Vince had to take the laddies back to Valley Lodge and return an hour later. They were at least nice enough to save our early bird parking space with a bright orange cone for his return.

Wait ... What's this? Are those dogs inside at the BMW International Polo Series? Hmmm.

We donned enough Ralph Lauren to make us almost look like an ad for Polo, poured a glass of Malbec and waited for play to start.

 All American girl ...

...  by way of Mexico, Russia and South Africa!

so cute!












Vince brought the big lens and the tripod to take some action shots from the sideline. Just like the old Pingry football games when our boys played in high school.













He got some great shots ...

Then it was time to stomp the divots.

The ground is so dry here. The divots aren't very deep but we played along.

 
Unfortunately for us, the USA lost 10 to 6. :( But it was a gorgeous day, a good time was had by all and we saw some incredible play.

South Africa took their victory lap and we cheered for our host country.












Some of the great fashion and table decorations:

 Nice phone!

We found this lone American in a sea of South Africans in another tent nearby. All you have to do is look for the red white and blue.

photo by Anne Walsh Wertz

After the prize ceremony we took our little oasis down and headed back to our cars. The way we came.