The Springboks are coming to town

This time around, the 1997 World Cup champions are taking their fight against Wales at the Mbombela Stadium during the Castle Lager Incoming Tour scheduled for Saturday, June 21 at 15:00.

The team will kick-start their first-leg campaign in Durban against Wales on June 14 before coming to the province the following weekend.

This will be Wales’ first appearance at the Mbombela Stadium, while the Springboks will be making their second famous showing.

They will certainly use this match to unveil their cutting-edge new jersey, manufactured by their new official technical kit sponsors, Asics, which will be used for the first time in June.

Just like the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, the Springboks have had a good run in this stadium.
They might, however, be without their captain, Jean de Villiers, who suffered a knee injury and has since been temporarily withdrawn.

Coach Heyneke Meyer will certainly use all the remaining games to thoroughly prepare for the 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup in England. 

Made famous by the local rugby team, the Steval Pumas, the Mbombela Stadium is said to have a great view and is ideal for rugby matches, with the pitch much closer to the crowd or the stands.

“It’s true, rugby teams actually like playing here because of the pitch being close to the crowd. Even spectators sitting on the upper level are able to view and see live action as if they were seated in the front row,” said Mthuthuzeli Qamba, who is part of the management of the stadium.

Inviting everyone to this match, Qamba said rugby was not only a white sport but could be enjoyed by everyone as proven during the 1997 World Cup, where the Springboks made history by taking home gold.

“We want to appeal to everyone to come and support our national team. Tickets for this game are already selling at all Computicket outlets nationwide and parking tickets are available at the stadium and at the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism.

“Please take note that all park-and-ride venues will be operational and we want to politely ask those that will be using the government complex park-and-ride to refrain from parking at Riverside Mall, but rather at the government complex sports field,” Qamba went on. 

For more updates and developments on this test series, log onto our website, www.mpumalanganews.co.za