Bafana Bafana face off with Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on October 14 at 18:00, and with a capacity crowd expected knowing all the details about getting to and from the stadium is crucial.

This will be the 11th time that Mbombela Stadium hosts the national men’s football side, and there are expectations of a capacity crowd for Bafana Bafana’s do-or-die final qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ALSO READ: What Bafana Bafana needs to secure FIFA World Cup qualification in Mbombela

With an unbeaten record in the Mpumalanga capital that includes six wins and four draws, hope is high among players and fans alike that Bafana Bafana will be able to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and secure World Cup qualification for the first time in over two decades.

They’ll need to win, of course, and require help from Nigeria against Benin, but captain Ronwen Williams ‘believes in fairytales’, which is helping keep spirits high.

ALSO READ: ‘I believe in fairytales’ – Williams confident as Bafana Bafana prepare for Mbombela qualifier

Mbombela Stadium management along with City of Mbombela law enforcement and the SAPS have been hard at work to prepare a traffic plan for the match. They will be making use of the plan and park-and-ride system utilised for the recent MTN8 final.

If you will be heading to the stadium to possibly witness a piece of South African football history, here is everything you need to know about getting to the stadium.

What is the best way to reach the stadium?
•     Make use of the free park-and-ride service.
•     If buses or taxis fill up quickly, they will depart once full otherwise every 15 to 30 minutes.
•     park-and-ride operates from 15:30 to 22:00. The last buses leave the stadium between 21:00 and 21:30.

What does the park-and-ride service cost?
•     It’s a free service for all match ticket holders.
•     At all park-and-ride points free and safe parking is provided for your vehicle.

How do I know which bus or taxi to take before and after the game?
•     Before the game the buses or taxis go straight from the pick-up point to the stadium.
•     After the game the park-and-ride services follow a circular route to drop-off at all venues.
•     Post-match make sure to board the bus or taxi at the same place you were dropped before the game.
•     Buses operate from Hoërskool Bergvlam, Lowveld High and Nelspruit Primary and load east of the stadium at Gates A and B.
•     Taxis operate from the Government Complex opposite Riverside Mall and the Fresh Produce Market (R37) and load south of the stadium at Gates C and E.

What do I do if I boarded the wrong bus or taxi?
•     When boarding you can ask the driver to make sure where he is heading.
•     To reduce confusion, the sectors are limited to Mbombela (buses) or Tiverside (taxis).

Where do I go when I am a permit holder (hospitality, VIP, disabled, media)?
•     Clearly display your permit and you will be ushered to Matsafeni Drive.
•     Make use of the P166 (stadium link road between Riverside and Mataffin) to reach the stadium, where you’ll be ushered to your parking area.

Can I park at the stadium if I am not a permit holder?
•     Yes, if you are early and you get there timeously.
•     Early-bird parking is available from 14:00 until 16:00 on a first-come first-served basis.
•     Parking is free, but you are encouraged to tip the car guard.
•     From 16:00 Samora Machell Dr will be closed and you have to divert to park-and-ride services.

Where can I park at the stadium without a permit?
•     The outlying old sports fields & the pecan orchard on the perimeter of the stadium precinct.
•     Overflow parking is available north of Samora Machell Dr (opposite halls gateway).
•     Park where you are marshalled to and do not reserve parking spaces.

Will there be road closures?
•     Yes, when early-bird parking is full (or after 16:00) Samora Machell Dr will be closed between Graniet St and the N4-Mataffin split.
•     Permit holders (vehicle access pass holders) will still be allowed in after closure.