South Africa's Shosholoza land major sponsorship deal

South Africa's maiden America's Cup challengers Team Shosholoza received one of the biggest sponsorships in the country's sporting history this week with a 100 million rand ($16.53 million) injection from T-Systems.

The German IT company become the chief sponsors for the team, Africa's first challenge for international yachting's most prestigious prize.

Shosholoza will compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2007, with the victor from the round-robin series earning the right to challenge Cup holders Alinghi of Switzerland in Valencia later the same year.

T-Systems South Africa CEO Wolfgang Jakob said the company was impressed by the spirit of a young African sailing team, that includes a number of black sailors.

Team Shosholoza bought the Italian Prada 2000 America's Cup yacht last year as a training vessel and will build two new 25-metre racing yachts over the next two years.