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Coronation Cup

England and South Africa announced their teams

They will play the traditional match at Guards Polo Club

When the Hurlingham Polo Association announced that England would play South Africa in the Coronation Cup 2012 -  the showcase match at the Audi International Polo event at Guards Polo Club on Sunday 22 July -  there was much interest in who would play for the visitors. South Africa has, in recent years, been developing some outstanding players and is expected to put up a strong performance.
 
South Africa team will have to be at the very top of its game though on Sunday 22 July as England will be fielding one of its strongest and most experienced teams for many years. England will once again be led by Luke Tomlinson (7 goals). He will be joined by James Beim (7 goals), his brother Mark Tomlinson (6 goals), and Malcolm Borwick (6 goals). Both Luke and James have been on top form playing for the high-goal Salkeld team this year along with England team coach Jose Donoso. The England reserves are James Harper (6) and Max Routledge (5).

The South African team will be captained by Stuart Erskine (7), known by everyone in the polo world as "Sugar". He will be joined by the talented eight-goaler Ignus du Plessi, who is currently in action for the Zacara team in the British Open Championships, his younger brother Jean du Plessis (6) and Chris MacKenzie (5). Reserve is Tom de Bruin, who played so well for Clarita Black when winning the Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club recently. 
 
England has won the Coronation Cup for the past two years - defeating New Zealand in 2010 and Brazil in 2011. It will be looking for a third win, especially as the home side comprehensively defeated South Africa in its previous encounter in this match, which took place in 1994.
  
In recognition of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Hurlingham Polo Association has agreed that the winners of the morning game will receive a new Diamond Jubilee Trophy. The teams taking part in this match are Young England v Young Commonwealth. The players for these teams will be announced soon.
 
This great day of polo will, once again conclude with the polo party of the year, courtesy of Chinawhite, who are celebrating 11 years as a key part of this international polo day programme. For the first time the Audi International will be a ticketed only event - enabling everyone attending the polo to have a fantastic view of some truly great sport.