Springbok rugby fans can look forward to a mid-morning World Cup after the International Rugby Board released the kick-off times for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
The Boks will need to get used to playing night games, as most of their pool matches have been scheduled for a late (in South African terms) 8:30pm kick-off.
SuperSport
Translated across the time zones, this means the Boks will be playing at 10:30am South African time, which is a lot better than some of the red-eye games that fans outside the Antipodes will have to deal with.
The Boks will kick off their campaign against Wales on Sunday September 11 in Wellington as the late game, before facing Fiji on Saturday September 17 at the same stadium, albeit an earlier 8am start.
Five days later the Boks face neighbours Namibia at the North Harbour stadium, this time at 10am South African time before heading for their 10:30am kick-off time against Samoa at the same venue on Friday September 30.
If the Boks win their pool, their quarter-final is likely to be Ireland or Australia (whoever finishes second in Pool C) and the game is set for an 8am kick-off in Wellington.
Should the Boks overcome this hurdle, they have a probable date with hosts New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday October 16, with an 11am SA time kick-off, while the final will take place on Sunday October 23 also with an 11am kick-off.
The opening game of the tournament and opening ceremony will take place on Friday September 9 at 7:45pm New Zealand time, which is 9:45am South African time, with the opening game between the All Blacks and Tonga kicking off 45 minutes later.
Most early games will kick off at 3:30pm NZ time (5:30am SA time), with a few getting an earlier 1pm (3am SA time starting slot).
“We have achieved a good balance,” said Martin Snedden, CEO for Tournament Organisers Rugby New Zealand 2011.
“If New Zealand is to make the most of the platform RWC 2011 gives us to showcase our country to the world, then we need to ensure we maximise the global television audience for key matches.
“What has now been agreed with event-owner Rugby World Cup Limited will help all hosting regions to promote themselves to the world and help fans, both domestic and international, to get on with planning their RWC 2011 experience with the start of the -tTournament now less than a year away.”
“The mix of match times should really contribute to the whole festival atmosphere of the tournament. Ten of the 48 matches will be played in the afternoon including the New Zealand v Canada pool match. A further 12 matches will begin by 6pm and another seven at 7:30pm,” added Snedden.
The Boks will be based in Wellington, Taupo and Auckland for the duration of the seven-week tournament.
Springbok game times
Sunday September 11 SA v Wales (Wellington) 8:30pm (10:30am SA time)
Saturday September 17 SA v Fiji (Wellington) 6pm (8am SA time)
Thursday September 22 SA v Namibia (North Harbour) 8pm (10am SA time)
Friday September 30 SA v Samoa (North Harbour) 8:30pm (10:30am SA time)
Sunday October 9 (probable) Winner Pool D v Runner up Pool C (Wellington) 6pm (8am SA time)
Saturday October 15 Semifinal 1 (Auckland) 9pm (11am SA time)
Sunday October 16 Semi-final 2 (Auckland) 9pm (11am SA time)
Sunday October 23 Final (Auckland) 9pm (11am SA time)
Some very considerate kick-off times for the Bokke games, I am satisfied.
@ grootblousmile:
Martin Snedden asked me to pass along “Phew, thank goodness GBS is satisfied !” 😉
So, do we have a month of no productivity at home, or do we get on a plane and sample NZ first hand with no productivity?
Hmm. GBS, get a RT tour organised.
Times are great for rugby supporters here. BUT we will be playing almost all our games at night!! How is the handling of the ball at night there? Moisture is higher at night remember, so not too sure about this. Ball could be slippery like it is in Durbs in the humid months. So maybe not a great thing. Maybe better to have had some day time games.
Suppose you can’t please em all.
Though if we don’t go to the world cup for the supporters it will be far better watching a game at 11am than the early hours of the morning. Do we watch with coffee in our hands????????? hehehehe or rather a glass of wine? I never ever have alcohol in the morning ever. Can’t imagine not having a braai and wine watching the world cup. 😀 Think we must all get our butts off our chairs and get to New Zealand for the world cup. Remember this will be the last world cup in a true Rugby Country until South Africa ever gets it again. So let us go and enjoy this world cup. Think the vibe in New Zealand gonna be awesome.
Puma wrote:
same here…just doesn’t seem right. I never drink before 1 in the afternoon.
Anyway…of to grab a bite….cya a bit later chaps!!
@ bos_otter: 5 – Bossie, Think we have to head of to NZ to enjoy it. Not the same watching world cup early in the morning.
@ Puma:
yea…agreed 🙂 But the two of us will probably then get to drunk and miss the whole game 🙂
5@ bos_otter:
Well, it’s past 1 in the afternoon SOMEWHERE in the world all the time….. hehehe
3@ Scrumdown:
Not a bad idea…. I’m flirting heavily with the idea of going to NZ for the RWC myself…. will be able to get into any match for free as a Rugby journalist…. the joys of owning this joint….
So, the tour could probably include Wellington and Auckland where the Bokke play all their games….
Now I just need to convince some Airline to Advertise here on R-T in return for some return flight tickets and convince a couple of NZ Guest Houses / Hotels to advertise here in return for accommodation… and Bob’s your auntie, the trip only costs me pocket money and money for booze…. hope they stock sletsap and condensed milk there….. hahaha
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