Reading on some web sites and in the press, there seems to be some confusion regarding the possible move of the Test on 21 August 2010 between the Springboks and All Blacks, from Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) to the National Stadium (Soccer City).
Some pundits believe the move is a forced move under presssure from SARU, forcing the GLRU (Gauteng Lions Rugby Union) to move the game in an attempt to recover the outstanding British and Irish Lions debt owing by the GLRU to SARU, some believe it is a new and exciting initiative by the GLRU to revive rugby in their region and a possible pre-curser to moving the home base of the GLRU permanently to the National Stadium.
Whatever the case, here is an insight from someone high up in the Club Scene in the GLRU structures.
The GLRU convened an urgent meeting of club Chairmen / Representatives to discuss the “opportunity” of moving the Test to the soon to be re-named “National Stadium”. The meeting took place on Thursday 1 July 2010.
A brief “presentation” by the stadium management company’ representative was done, explaining the benefits of the stadium over Ellis Park (among others).
Andre Homan of the GLRU then explained to the people there that the “buy-in” from the clubs was the last major step as all other stakeholders, sponsors, suite holders, season ticket holders etc, had overwhelmingly agreed to the venue switch.
I must admit that it seemed that the decision had already been made.
The GLRU people admitted that there was a great deal of pressure being applied by National Government, Local Government and SARU to make the switch happen.
The “outstanding debt” to SARU wasn’t mentioned, but obviously the attraction of an additional almost 30 000 tickets at R500 each (R 15 000 000) is most attractive to the GLRU, assuming of course that the Test sells out.
According to Kevin de Klerk, the GLRU also intend to try negotiating a discount on the hosting fee as a sweetener to make the switch.
The obvious worry is that sport overkill with the FIFA SWC, and the possibility that the Springboks either wrap up the Tri-Nations title early, or don’t perform at all, or that Peter deVilliers (National coach) picks a 2nd rate team as per the British & Irish Lions last Test, which could just prevent a sell-out, which could leave the GLRU financially embarressed again.
According to both Kevin de Klerk and Manie Reyneke, time was of the essence with an ugent decision required, hence the short notice of the meeting. They (the GLRU) were hoping to make an official announcement by latest Wednesday 7th.
The GLRU Clubs voted in favour of the proposed move and it seems just a rubberstamp is needed to make the decision final.
90 000 Janne
Hulle gaan nie daai stadion vol kry teen R500/ticket nie!!!
FFS!!! Hoekom is die rugby base so geldgierig?
This is good news. I wonder what the pessimists are going to say now.
@ KingPaul:
R500 ‘n kaartjie is belaglik
Like the Article says…. it’s going to depend on how good or how bad the Springboks fared in their 1st 3 games overseas… if they already have the title sowed up, I cannot see the Test being a sell-out, similarly if they come back from overseas with 3 losses then our title aspirations are gone already.
It is difficult to imagine the Bokke winning all 3 over there, maybe 2 out of 3 is a better call, in which case the Stadium could well be full, even at R 500,00 a pop.
Whatever the situation, I’ll be there, a Bokke / All Blacks Test on SA soil is special!
@ rugbybal:
En die grap is ek gaan 10/1 een van die ape wees wat dit gaan betaal!! Net sodat Johan Prinsloo en tjomme in nuwe sportskarre kan rondry?? Of is dit nou weer om te betaal vir elke rugbybaadjie-draende JanRap en sy maat se vliegkaartjies en verblyf vir volgende jaar se WC??
6@ KingPaul:
Ek gaan nie betaal nie….. hehehehe… maar ek gaan daar wees!
It seems everyone has gone to watch the soccer!!
@ KingPaul:
Yip, ek sou ook R500 opdok vir die game as ek in SA was. As die toets nie uitverkoop word nie moet hulle die oorblywende kaartjies in Soweto uitdeel. Previously disadvantage kaartjies.
8@ Wallabie.:
The SWC has an influence but it’s also an extended School Holidays… but it should pick up again later this week.
will soccer city pitch be good for rugby. You see heeps of Divets (sp)!
Maybe the pitch is softened up for the soccer sweethearts so they dont bruise.
@ rugbybal:
Ek hoop regtag julle maak ‘n plan om die stadion vol te kry. En ek hoop Snorre kies sy beste beskikbare span!!
Julle gesien dat Juan die naweek begin speel? Seker bekommerd hy kry nie sy Bok jersey terug nie!!
Ek is praat doen hier…
(Does that make sense)?
So who is playing what where this weekend?
Have I forgotten any more superbru picks?
GBS
Extended holidays….I hope the FFA get their act together and win the bid to host the SWC in australia….so I can go on an extended holiday.
Where do I put my X to vote for the World cup???
Echo….
Echo…
Echo….
15@ Blue Bird:
Hellooooo….
ellooooo….
llooooo….
looooo….
ooooo….
oooo….
ooo….
oo….
o….
14@ Wallabie.:
School Holidays in June is usually 3 weeks… this year it was more than a month, to co-incide with the SWC… kids are only going back to their cages on about the 13th if I’m not mistaken.
Maradona – ‘hand of God’
Saurez – ‘two hands from the Devil’
GBS
That is a long time if the kids are terrorists!!
Soccer needs to introduce penalty goals and the firing squad for malicious hand balling!!
19@ Wallabie.:
All kids are terrorists, some are just better trained terrorists than others!
Copyright: GBS, 5 July 2010
GBS
😆
too funny!
Without reading the article or the comments: What is this kak of moving to Soweto? Oh! I see. Anything is better than Ellispark!
grootblousmile wrote:
Problem comes with the badly trained terrorists!
I like rugby bals idea to give away some test tickets as “PDT” prviously disadvantaged tickets.
I’ll be there irrespective of what the ticket costs, thought in stead of selling Vuvuzelas, I’ll sell harmonicas at the ground, will have a little more tune.
Can imagine 80 000 “whiteys” with Harmonica’s and 10 000 vuvuzlea’s, what an atmosphere!
@ grootblousmile: Definition of an Anarchist….”Any 9 year old boy”
@ 4man:
So true, caught our 9yo nephew making things ‘explode’, filming it and putting it on You Tube!!
Would be an asset to the S.A.S!!
27@ Blue Bird:
I was about 9 when I built my 1st Chlorine Bomb…. nails, ironies, nuts and bolts, the whole works…. the metal Dustbin had to be replaced…. hehehe
There was no Youtube then… luckily.
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