{"id":837814,"date":"2025-09-17T16:31:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T14:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=837814"},"modified":"2025-09-17T16:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T14:31:56","slug":"former-springbok-captains-company-sold-to-security-giant-headed-by-another-former-springbok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/837814\/former-springbok-captains-company-sold-to-security-giant-headed-by-another-former-springbok\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Springbok captain’s company sold to security giant headed by another former Springbok"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fidelity Services Group has acquired a majority shareholding in John Smit-led SSG Holdings after obtaining all the requisite regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 2014, SSG offers comprehensive security, cleaning, hygiene, and integrated facilities management services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSG currently services clients in the mining, commercial, retail, industrial, and government sectors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company operates across 14 locations nationwide with a dedicated workforce of nearly 9,000 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is currently under the leadership of former Springbok captain John Smit, who led the team when it won the 2007 Rugby World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, Wahl Bartmann<\/a>, Group CEO of Fidelity, is also a former Springbok player. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fidelity said that the boardroom collaboration between Smit and Bartmann will reflect the same leadership and commitment they once displayed on the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acquisition will grow Fidelity\u2019s footprint to over 255 locations and grow its workforce to about 69,200 employees across South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fidelity added that the transaction marks a significant milestone in its continued mission to deliver world-class integrated facilities services across Southern Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acquisition also adds to Fidelity\u2019s track record on strategic expansion, including previous high-profile acquisitions such as ADT South Africa, Bidvest Protea Coin Cash Management Solutions and key assets from National Security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group said the transactions significantly enhanced the company\u2019s scale and service capabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis deal strengthens Fidelity\u2019s leadership in commercial integrated security, cleaning, and facilities management,\u201d said Bartmann. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWelcoming SSG\u2019s experienced leadership and committed team to the Fidelity family is completely aligned with our continued focus on operational excellence and innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the terms of the agreement, SSG will become a subsidiary of Fidelity and will continue to operate under its own brand and existing leadership team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fidelity said that a comprehensive management retention programme that forms part of the transaction aims to ensure continuity, performance and alignment with Fidelity\u2019s long-term growth objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other key shareholders, including Richmark and Northam Platinum, will retain a significant equity stake and board representation, which Fidelity said will ensure continuity and strategic input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a proudly South African company, SSG is extremely excited about the opportunities this partnership presents to our customers, stakeholders, and employees,\u201d said Smit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFidelity\u2019s diverse expertise and deep resources will allow us to elevate our services even further\u2014while remaining true to our commitment to service excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are immensely proud of what the SSG team has built and confident that this partnership provides the right foundation for our future growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity and a former Springbok<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Springbok legend John Smit is the CEO of SSG Holdings, which is being sold to Fidelity Services Group, whose CEO, Wahl Bartmann, is also a former Springbok. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":837816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9872],"tags":[7273,23630],"class_list":["post-837814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-fidelity","tag-ssg-holdings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/837814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=837814"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/837814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":837822,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/837814\/revisions\/837822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/837816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=837814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=837814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=837814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}