South Africa

South Africa’s sport for the ultra-rich wants to change its perception

Kirsten Minnaar • 9 August 2025

As one of South Africa’s oldest sports, polo is beloved by some of the country’s wealthiest individuals, but efforts are underway to change its perception and make it more accessible to all.

Today, polo fields can be found across South Africa, including in some of the country’s most exclusive estates, like Val de Vie and Oaklands Equestrian Estate.

Polo events are also a major attraction, drawing both consumers and sponsorships from major companies like Nedbank, Spitz and American Express.

While the sport is still gaining popularity today, polo, as one of the oldest sports in the world, has a history that dates back centuries.

Polo is one of the oldest ball sports in the world. Many years BCE, the sport was practised in Persia, where hundreds of participants would play on either side. It was an exercise to test which horses were strong enough for warfare.

Around the 16th century, Mughal fighters brought the polo game to the Himalayas, where entire villages played each other.

At first, they used the heads of defeated enemies. Later, this changed to using the heads of animals. Ultimately, this practice was changed to the ‘Pulu’, Tibetan for ‘Willow branch’, which corrupted to ‘polo’.

British tea plantation owners in Burma were introduced to the sport around 1850. The British colonialists and military in the North of India and what is now Pakistan were also introduced to the sport. It proved a useful way to train military horses.

In 1863, the Brits established one of the first polo clubs: “Polo Club Calcutta”. Followed by the first match in the United Kingdom in 1869. After this, the sport was adopted enthusiastically by the British Army; they called it ‘Hockey by horse’.

The Hurlingham Polo Club in London quickly grew into the centre of the polo sport. Here, the first official rules were drafted in 1875.

An important introduction was the so-called handicap system, which allowed players of various levels to compete with each other. This made the sport gain in social character and thus spread to different parts of the globe.

Today, there are several renowned polo countries worldwide. These include Argentina, the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Brazil, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Polo in South Africa

Polo’s history in South Africa goes back over 100 years. The South African Polo Association (SAPA), the country’s official polo administrative controlling body, told Daily Investor that its constitution was formulated in 1905.

“The association was formally established in 1906 in Durban, with its first meeting at the Royal Hotel,” SAPA said.

Initially, it governed polo across five provincial bodies: Highveld, East Griqualand, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and the Cape.
“Polo gained increased global visibility and local significance when South African teams started competing internationally, notably in 1933 by reaching the Argentine Open semi-final.”

By the late 1940s – 1950s, women’s polo emerged more formally, spurred by pioneers such as Cicely FitzPatrick, who founded the Addo Polo Club in Cape Province.

“The Natal Ladies’ Polo Association was formed in 1948, and women’s tournaments were held during that era.”

“Since its formation over a century ago, SAPA has grown from a handful of clubs into a nationwide governing body for polo, with dozens of clubs, hundreds of players, and formal structures for governance, welfare, and social development.”

Today, there are 32 clubs and about 450 members affiliated with SAPA. Some of these clubs are also polo schools, and members range from amateurs to professional players.

Becoming a top 5 global polo destination

The role of SAPA is to administer the annual fixture lists, the handicaps of all players, and any disciplinary matters. It also helps coordinate development initiatives and governs policy relating to all matters regarding polo and polo ponies.

SAPA aims to increase the value proposition of polo in South Africa, improve the quality of polo in South Africa, and become financially sustainable.

It also aims to make South Africa a top-five global polo destination. The organisation explained that it is capitalising on several factors to achieve this.

First, polo is played year-round in South Africa. The Cape season is from December to April, and the eastern side of the country plays polo from May to November.

This allows players to participate in many tournaments each year and allows overseas guests to come at any time of the year to enjoy playing polo or receiving polo coaching while on holiday.

“There are multiple ‘polo holiday’ options offered by clubs and businesses throughout South Africa, such as Jurassic Park Polo Club, Absolute Polo, Rhone Hill Polo Club, and Plettenberg Bay Polo Club.”

“These ‘polo holidays’ are for first-time players all the way through to high-goal players who can participate in tournaments.”

The polo aspect of the holiday may be complemented with other South African experiences, such as a safari and the enjoyment of the beach, bush, or berg. According to SAPA, this makes for a desirable holiday option for overseas guests.

SAPA also hosts the annual Nedbank International Polo event, which featured Argentina versus South Africa in May 2025.

“This event showcases world-class competition, top-class hospitality, and global branding, drawing high-net-worth attendees and international attention to the South African polo stage.”

“Events such as this also help to improve the public perception of the sport by emphasising pony welfare and ethical practices.”

The association also hosts the annual Junior Polo Coaching Clinic, which takes place in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

SAPA said it attracts young players from all over South Africa and other African countries like Zambia and Ghana.

“This event develops youngsters’ polo skills, fosters camaraderie amongst youngsters of different nationalities, and showcases the coaching skills of top players who give of their time to put back into South African polo and the future thereof.”

A third annual event that draws much attention to the sport of polo in South Africa is the Karkloof Classic, played each July in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands.

“This is the biggest polo tournament in Africa, hosting around 130 players and 600 horses,” SAPA explained.

“This is another great stage to draw international attention to polo in South Africa, with family and spectators coming and viewing from South Africa and abroad.”

Changing perceptions

Even with its long history, there are still obstacles that make polo’s integration more difficult in South Africa.

“Polo remains an expensive sport,” SAPA said. “The high cost of owning and maintaining polo ponies, equipment, turf fields, and logistics creates challenges for broader participation.”

While SAPA has structured programmes to improve access to the sport, diversity amongst participants, coaching, and events, there are still challenges.

“Significant work remains in ensuring equitable geographic distribution, transformation with the financial and cultural times, and long-term sustainability of the sport of polo in South Africa.”

Across the globe, and locally in South Africa, polo is known for being exclusively for high-net-worth individuals. However, SAPA explained that it wants to break the stereotype that polo is only for the elite or a select few.

“Polo is a sport for everyone, not just for those with access to horses or private clubs, but for any South African willing to learn, participate, and support the game.”

“SAPA invites South Africans to either start attending local polo tournaments at a club close to them, as the majority of them are open to the public, and then to try it out. Many clubs offer entry-level coaching, even for people with no horse experience.”

Going forward, SAPA said it aims to continue enhancing visibility and sponsorship within the sport by hosting elevated international events.

“The Nedbank International Polo match, held annually at the Inanda Club in Sandton, has become a high-profile flagship event.”

It features a high-goal International, boosting global visibility and attracting luxury sponsors such as Nedbank, American Express, Glenfiddich, Stella Artois and many more.

“SAPA’s future strategy blends commercial growth, inclusive development, and the support of players whose ambition is to play polo professionally, whether nationally or internationally.”

“The long-term plan positions South Africa as an international polo destination valued for competitive standards, pony quality, world-class events, and ethical governance.”