Polokwane ready to host Springbok match
Polokwane's Peter Mokaba Stadium is ready to host the Springboks pending an inspection, as the city aims to bring international rugby to Limpopo.
POLOKWANE – The city of Polokwane is ready to host a Springboks rugby game at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium this year.
According to the municipality’s spokesperson on sport, Mantlako Sebaka, the stadium is in perfect condition, and a visit from SA Rugby to assess the facilities is awaited; however, Sebaka could not provide a date for the visit. Attempts to obtain clarification from SA Rugby were also unsuccessful.
The stadium is one of five new stadiums that were built for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup and has a capacity of 45 000 spectators, but for the purposes of the world cup the seating capacity was reduced to 41 733. Initial plans to upgrade the existing stadium were abandoned in favour of the R1.2bn new Peter Mokaba stadium.
The Springboks have never played a local match, and also did not parade any of the Rugby World Cup trophies locally.
The stadium has a range of features that contribute to its accessibility, including public transport, parking, entrances and exits, a wheelchair section, signage and assistance, as well as the facilities, but the actual level of accessibility might vary depending on the event, the condition of the facilities and availability of transport.
The stadium has been used intensely for training and matches; therefore, the natural grass has been reinforced with artificial fibre, which anchors the field into a stable and level grass surface.
The hospitality fraternity of the City of Stars is capable of providing about 1 800 beds for overnight visitors, and with only two and a half hours’ driving from Gauteng or Mpumalanga and the North-West, it is a great proposition for a weekend visit. Regular flights to Polokwane International Airport are also a consideration.
