For the first time in 15 years, international polo will return to Val de Vie Estate and the Western Cape, a landmark moment for the South African sporting and lifestyle calendar. Taking place on Saturday, 15 November 2025, the Standard Bank Polo International Test Match marks the beginning of a new chapter in Val de Vie Estate’s legacy as one of Africa’s leading polo destinations.
Ryk Neethling, Marketing and Brand Director at Val de Vie Estate, says: “Over the past two decades, Val de Vie Estate has established itself as one of the biggest polo clubs in Africa, and we are thrilled to be bringing the world’s top players back to Cape Town. Polo brings people together, across cultures, generations and backgrounds. It’s a sport that requires incredible commitment and skill and teaches patience, love, and respect for horses. To see international polo return to a place that lives and breathes the sport of kings is incredibly exciting.”
Jacques Els, Head of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment agrees. “Polo attracts a global, sophisticated audience who appreciate mastery, value discretion, and think generationally,” he says. “Our decision to partner with an international polo event at Val de Vie Estate is rooted in the natural alignment between the sport’s heritage and the vision and aspirations of our clientele.”
Standard Bank Wealth and Investment and Val de Vie Estate also share a vision – one that is built on legacy, excellence and meaningful connection. Whether it is growing multigenerational wealth or nurturing a lifestyle defined by purpose, both brands recognise that true value lies in what endures. The return of international polo, a sport steeped in tradition and refinement, provides the perfect setting to celebrate this shared philosophy.
“At Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, we are committed to helping our clients create, preserve, and grow their wealth across generations,” Els continues. “Supporting an international polo event allows us to not only demonstrate this commitment, but to do so in a setting that reflects the elegance and strategic depth that our clients associate with us.”
“We see polo as more than just a sport; it is a lifestyle synonymous with precision, legacy, and excellence – values that mirror the Standard Bank Wealth and Investment ethos. This sponsorship offers us a unique opportunity to meaningfully engage with our clients and their families in an environment that reflects their lifestyle and ambitions.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.valdevie.co.za/polo-test-match/
More information about the Standard Bank Polo International Test Match and the opposing team that will be competing against South Africa will be announced soon.