Newport International Polo Series is delighted to welkom back Team South Africa back to Newport after a 4 year hiatus for USA vs. South Africa on September 16, 2023! South Africa has become an international polo powerhouse in recent years, producing some of the world’s top players. Polo was introduced to South Africa by British cavalry regiments garrisoned there in the late 19th century. The first recorded tournament took place at King Williamstown in 1885. The South African Polo Association was formed in 1905 and there are about 38 clubs in South Africa and about 400 players, several of whom are world-class professionals.
In their debut to the series in 2019 USA was victorious to a tune of 11-9 in a grueling match. Captain, Shelby Williamson and his crew are dead set on avenging the loss through their never-say-die attitudes and technical prowess. Without any further ado – introducing Team South Africa!
Team South Africa:
Selby Williamson is the owner of Jurassic Park Polo Club which was founded in 2001. Jurassic Park Polo Club is situated in Swartberg on the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. Selby played for South Africa in the SA Schools team in 1987, then in Under21 in 1989. His first test cap came in 1995 against Zimbabwe. Selby first captained the National side in 2005 and has captained the SA Team in both field and arena polo. Selby has obtained 86 caps in his polo career and played in more than 20 countries around the World. He played in the FIP World Cup in 2008 and was a player and coach in the World Cup in 2011. Selby coached the National team to victory against a strong USA Team in 2014 and played in the 2015 team which beat New Zealand and narrowly lost to the USA in Florida. More recently he has focused on the polo school and farming
Malcolm Ford is a financier based in the City of London. He spent 30 years working for Investment Banks in Traditional Finance before entering the world of cryptocurrency and digital assets. He is an accomplished sailor winning the UK National Championship in the Etchells class and has competed in many National, European and World Championships. He came to polo later in life, not having sat on a horse until well into his 40’s, he now plays in low-goal tournaments primarily at Knepp Castle and White Waltham Polo Clubs in the UK. He frequently travels to play tournaments in South Africa and Argentina. Alongside Selby Williamson, he recently won the 4 goal tournament at Swartberg Polo Club, a prestigious event celebrating their Centenary year, where 100 players attended. Malcolm is looking forward to playing his first tournament in the US at Newport Polo Club.
Callum Shaw has been playing polo since he was 10 years old. He started and learned to play polo at Jurassic Park polo with Selby Williamson and has evolved into a 2 goal player. He has since had the incredible opportunity to play all over the world notably Kenya, Australia, and Brazil. One of his more memorable achievements was being selected for the South African schools team in 2018 and 2019.
Georgina Brittain enjoys a career in the world of finance as a Managing Director at JPMorgan in London. Polo is both a passion and addiction for Georgina and when not playing in the UK she travels regularly to Argentina, Dubai, and of course, South Africa, where she plays regularly with the great South African player, Selby Williamson. This is her first trip to play in the US, and she is really excited to play at Newport, Rhode Island, as she spent many idyllic summer holidays at Sakonnet as a child.
Join the players on the eve of the match for a welcoming meet & greet. Time and location TBD.
Catch up with Team South Africa along its Newport tour, published in our weekly eMagazine. Possibilities are endless to plan your South African-themed polo picnic for a chance at Stella Artois Best in Show, themed, “green, red, blue, black & yellow”! Join the celebrations after the match when the Veuve Clicquot Trophy Presentation will award the winning team, followed by a complimentary toast in the Modern Luxury Lounge where The Cocktail Guru will serve a complimentary libation from the Patio Bar and apres polo menu TBA. Cheers!
Newport Polo is the home of the Westchester Polo Club, America’s first polo club, offering exhibition polo and club member services for outdoor & arena polo, and polo instruction. Est. in 1876, founding member of the United States Polo Association, host of the Newport International Polo Series.
