Newlands keeps its French Test
Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:45
The 'cathedral' of SA rugby: The Newlands stadium
South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins on Tuesday confirmed that the Springboks' Test against France on June 12 would take place at Newlands as initially planned.
The decision was announced after a positive meeting between SARU officials and Danny Jordaan, CEO of the FIFA Local Organising Committee for the Soccer World Cup.
According to the FIFA agreements with the host cities, the stadiums - including the rugby venues - need to be handed over to the organisers 15 days in advance of Soccer World Cup matches, scheduled takes place from June 11 to July 11.
It was originally suggested that FIFA won't bend the rule, as the pitch has to be manicured and painted for the football showpiece event, while logistics and parking arrangements surrounding the stadiums have to be finalised.
However, a compromise has now been found and for the first time another major international event, a rugby Test, will now take place in the same vicinity as football World Cup matches.
"It was a very good and helpful meeting and we made significant progress," Hoskins said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I'm pleased to announce that we have agreed that the Test against France in Cape Town on June 12 will go ahead at Newlands as originally scheduled."
The match takes place during the FIFA 2010 World Cup at a time when other major competing sports events are not permitted to be held in hosting cities.
Jordaan echoed similar sentiments.
"We had a very helpful and productive meeting that builds on the good spirit of co-operation that we had during the FIFA Confederations Cup," said Jordaan.
In an agreement between the host cities and FIFA, it had been decided that parallel events that could place strain on the city's infrastructure would not be held during the month-long World Cup.
"Following broad consultation with all affected parties, we have agreed with SARU that the Test planned for June 12 can go ahead," said Jordaan.
"The rugby Test is not on the same day as a World Cup match in the city and is not at the same venue, so we are comfortable that it will not impact on our preparations.
"If SARU is comfortable for it to go ahead during this busy time, then that is their call.
"The French fans will certainly not complain - getting to watch their national team play a football match on the Friday and a rugby match on the Saturday in Cape Town."
Cape Town kicks off its World Cup match schedule on Friday June 11 when France play Uruguay at the Cape Town stadium. The rugby Test is scheduled for the following day, Saturday June 12.
The next match to be hosted in the city is on Monday June 14.
The meeting also addressed issues around the potential hosting of Super 14 semifinals and a Final.
"We have both been aware of the situation for some time and we in rugby have made contingency plans," said Hoskins.
"However, our first preference has always been to play any such matches at our normal venues and Jordaan has listened to our request and is prepared to continue those discussions.
"The next step is to get the role players from the affected unions into the same room with the LOC to see if we can't map out a compromise."
The Super 14 semifinals and Final are scheduled for the weekends of May 21/22 and May 29 - which is not during the actual World Cup, but falls in the 15-day window ahead of the start of tournament.
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