1995 and 2007 Rugby World Cup winners South Africa will be training ahead of the 2015 event at Eastbourne College, where SISIS machinery helps keep the rugby pitches in prime condition.

The Springboks will be preparing for the World Cup, hosted by England and Wales this autumn, at Eastbourne College's Memorial Sports Ground.

Head groundsman Richard Maryan has been at the college for 21 years and says that maintaining the rugby pitches with his four colleagues is made much easier by SISIS machinery.

"We’ve got a SISIS Multislit which has been here longer than me and is still performing, a SISIS Rotorake TM1000, a SISIS Veemo and a Multitiner – which is our most recent purchase," he explained.

"All of them are great for our football, rugby and cricket facilities but as with anything new, my most prized asset at the moment is the Multitiner.

"We bought it to replace a machine which was very old. It was worn out but we really liked it and the SISIS Multitiner was the only one on the market that was similar. It’s difficult to find machines which are up to the job but thankfully the Multitiner is even better than our previous machine."

The SISIS Multitiner is a drum-type tractor-mounted aerator which is ideal for use on sports field and fine turf surfaces. It works quickly and effectively to improve drainage and encourage better root growth; the aerator incorporates quick-release tines and a working depth of up to 100mm.

Maryan says that the machine is perfect for maintaining winter sports pitches and he reckons the machine will be used at least once a week from September through March.

"It’s a very useful piece of kit and it is just so easy to use; you can go out and do the rugby pitch very quickly," he says.

"The roller is absolutely fantastic and is something that we didn’t have on our old one. I really like that because it gives you a brilliant finish. For presentation the Multitiner is great – it does the job without any fuss."

Some would be phased by the responsibility for ensuring that the training pitches are in perfect condition for one of the greatest rugby teams in the world, but Maryan says he is relishing the challenge.

“It’s great for the College and the Multitiner will be especially useful in preparing the pitches but overall I’m really looking forward to it," he said.

© Cricket World 2015