Rugby fans add to the beauty of KaNyamazane

KANYAMAZANE – It was a sunny, cool Saturday afternoon and excitement filled the air as rugby fans made their way to this community to watch the Steval Pumas play the Xerox Golden Lions in their second match of the SuperSport Challenge.

Community members went to extreme efforts to make sure that everything ran smoothly, and it was organised exceptionally well. Small beer tents were set up serving refreshments to spectators.

Everyone was in high spirits as the match began, and it was a great turnout as the surrounding community and fans from Mbombela came out to support the event.

A complimentary park-and-ride was arranged for spectators from the Government Precinct in Mbombela to the stadium.

A local spectator from KaNyamazane, Nosipho Sibeko, said, “This is something new for us, it’s interesting to see.

They should bring the rugby here more often, as the community would become more involved and the stadium would be filled.”

Another local, Tumelo Malope, said, “I haven’t watched rugby since I was in high school. I am just so excited to have them playing here.”

The match had a wonderful vibe, as local music filled the air, and spectators cheered for their respective teams. “KaNyamazane has one of the best rugby fields in the Lowveld and the team love playing here.

“If we didn’t play in the community areas I don’t think we would have realised that we are actually giving back to the people by bringing the game to the community.

They live for their local heroes and this gives us an opportunity to be heroes again,” said Pumas player, Hoffman Maritz.

One of the aims of the SuperSport Challenge is to bring back professional rugby to the community, and reach new audiences for the sport.

The final score was Lions 40 – Pumas 29.

The Steval Pumas’ next match is in two weeks against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg.