August 29, 09:30IOL

62,000 fans expected to head to DHL Stadium in Cape Town for South Africa vs All Blacks match

Springbok supporters are expecting a large gathering at DHL Stadium in Cape Town ahead of the match against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Cape Town is preparing for the major sporting event as thousands of Springbok fans gather in the city to watch the confrontation with the All Blacks. It is anticipated that around 62,000 people will take seats in the fully packed DHL Stadium, while thousands more will be gathered in various locations across the city to watch one of the biggest rugby rivalries.

For Cape Town residents who are not attending the match, the event will still be noticeable. Traffic restrictions began around Green Point and the stadium from 6 am, and heavy traffic is expected as fans start arriving in the city before the game at 5:10 pm.

The stadium gates open at noon, giving fans over five hours to soak up the atmosphere before the Boks take the field. MyCiTi shuttles will operate to transport fans from the Central Business District, Tycho Square, CTICC, UCT, and Bellville Velodrome, and additional train services have also been scheduled.

Where to watch without a ticket

According to CapeTowner, the match will be broadcast at Mojo Market in Sea Point. Additionally, fans can go to the Unplugged Fan Park at Century City Square or to Foresters Arms in Newlands to watch the game.

On the field, the Springboks team is playing to compensate for the 33-16 defeat by the All Blacks in Ellis Park. There were also late changes to coach Rassie Erasmus's plan after Handre Pollard was ruled out of the game due to a calf injury. Sacha Fienberg-Mngomezulu returns to position No. 10, Mani Leibbok moves to the bench, and Cheslin Kolbe returns to the wing after recovering from injury.

This match is the second of four encounters between the teams, and another loss would put the Springboks two games behind in the series. Fans are strongly urged to arrive early and use public transport whenever possible.

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iol.co.zaAugust 28, 09:00

55,000 fans expected to boost hotel occupancy and hospitality sector in Cape Town

The upcoming Springboks match at the DHL Stadium is expected to attract around 55,000 people to the Green Point area on Saturday, which should significantly support Cape Town's hospitality sector during the traditional winter low season.

FEDHASA Cape Chairperson, Lee-En Singer, told IOL that due to the large crowd, accommodation in the City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, and V&A Waterfront areas is expected to sell out almost completely.

For an industry that usually experiences quieter winter months, major sporting events provide the desired influx of demand. Singer noted that South Africa's passion for sports also helps attract international tourists who come to watch matches from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and other places.

Sports tourists can become regular visitors, often returning with family or friends.

Although there is no exact data on the economic impact of this specific match, results from previous games demonstrate potential benefits. According to Andy Colkhoune from SA Rugby, a previous Springboks match at Ellis Park Stadium generated approximately 167 million rand in direct visitor spending and contributed over 500 million rand to Gauteng's GDP.

Singer also mentioned that the match supported over 1,000 jobs in accommodation, food service, and related services. Although Cape Town's figures may differ, given that the DHL Stadium is nearly sold out and visitors are spending money on flights, accommodation, and restaurants, the match should provide the city with a strong trading weekend for the hospitality industry.

iol.co.zaAugust 28, 08:00

Five Iconic Matches Between the Springboks and All Blacks in Cape Town

Cape Town has become the arena for some of the most intense chapters of the greatest rugby rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks. Matches held at both the historic Newlands stadium and the modern DHL Stadium have always been characterized by minimal score differences and incredible fan passion, with the All Blacks traditionally enjoying significant support in this city.

These five classic encounters in Cape Town reflect the best of the legendary confrontation, whether it was series-defining victories or dramatic one-point matches.

The Greatest Rugby Rivalry

In 2024, Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx scored the decisive touchdown in the match against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

1996 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 18–29 New Zealand)

This match was not part of the All Blacks' three-match tour of South Africa, but it marked the beginning of a new competition between South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Thanks to the brilliant play of flyhalf Andrew Merten, who earned 19 points from kicks, New Zealand managed to come back into the game, overcoming a nine-point deficit twenty minutes before the end, to secure the victory.

2001 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 3–12 New Zealand)

A dirty and tough defensive battle unfolded at Newlands amid heavy rain. In the match, dominated by constant collisions, handling errors, and tactical kicks, the All Blacks managed to win thanks to four accurate penalty kicks from flyhalf Tony Brown, who is now an attacking coach for the Springboks, surpassing the determined Springboks team.

2005 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 22–16 New Zealand)

Under the leadership of Jake White, the Springboks demonstrated a defensive masterpiece, interrupting a long streak of defeats against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Through dominant scrummaging, relentless defensive work, and tries by Percy Montgomery, South Africa managed to repel a late onslaught from New Zealand and claim a memorable victory.

2017 – Rugby World Cup, Newlands (South Africa 24–25 New Zealand)

This match is widely regarded as one of the best test games between the two sides in Cape Town in the modern era. Just a few weeks after a humiliating 57–0 defeat in Albany, the Springboks, under Alistair Coetzee, showed incredibly brave play at a packed Newlands, pushing the All Blacks to their limit before losing by only one point.

2024 – Rugby World Cup, DHL Stadium (South Africa 18–12 New Zealand)

In the first meeting of the rivals at this arena, the Springboks secured a tense victory, earning the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009. Tries by Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx in the second half, combined with fierce defensive work, ensured a dramatic comeback and a series win over the All Blacks.