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On Saturday evening, 31 000 people made way to the DHL Stadium to watch the Vodacom United Rugby Championship between the Stormers and the Bulls.

The atmosphere was electric. It’s the first real taste of life as it once was that I’ve experienced since before the COVID-19 pandemic, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson. It’s unfortunate that so many seats weren’t allowed to be sold.

The cold weather and moments of rain were no match for the spirit of the fans, regardless of the team they were supporting. Everyone was stoked to be there and there was so much more to watch and celebrate than just the rugby (and the Stormers’ 18-13 victory).

When the DHL Dancers, headed up by TikTok’s boogie sensation Wiaan Laing, took the field, the stadium erupted (just as loudly as it did when the horn blew and the Stormers were officially champions).

The cheerleaders performed a routine made up of viral TikTok dances, with a twist (or split, I should say).

WATCH:

@wiaanlaing Our final performance for this season’s #URC Thank you for all the love DHL Stadium and well done to our boys, @DHL Stormers … You did it!!! #DHLStormers #URC #DHLDancers #DHLStadium #winners #foryoupage #fyp @urc ♬ original sound – Wiaan Laing

Big performances aside, the highlight of my return to the stadium came from those who didn’t step foot on the pitch. The real stars of the show were the vendors and cleaning staff.

Chips and popcorn, choccies, juices and biltong weren’t in short supply. If not careful, you could easily have been slapped with a packet of droëwors making its way to a customer sitting behind you. And no one slung more biltong than this vendor…

WATCH:

Soaking up every single vibe was this J&M Biltong man, operating in block 216. My eyes kept bouncing between the game and his groovy dance moves.

Moving below deck and into the bathrooms:

31 000 people breaking the seal. I can only speak for the women’s ablutions, but the staff were incredible and the facilities spotless. Near where I was sitting was one elderly woman who ran her section like an absolute boss.

On my first (of many) trips to the loo, she stopped me in my tracks and ushered me to a section of the bathroom that wasn’t as busy as the rest. She was directing toilet traffic better than any traffic cop.

I acknowledged her with a smile and ‘thank you’ and she lit up. I had the best loo in the house for the rest of the night. She even went on to remind me to grab toilet paper, in case any stalls had run out during the halftime rush.

Seeing a woman thrice my age at the stadium – not to watch the game, but to run the bathrooms – was a quick reminder of my privilege. I wonder if she got a chance to see the field. Still, she was never without a smile.

Sport really does have the power to change the world, Mr Mandela. This was again evident on Saturday night.

Whether it be from the bathrooms, the stands or a seat, there was pure joy everywhere. Still, I reckon the woman in charge of the bathrooms just outside block 216 and this J&M Biltong man deserve a raise (and the best seat in the house at the next game).

#RobynintheHood 

Also read:

‘All the single rugby players’ – Stellies dancer goes viral as the ultimate cheerleader

Picture: Robyn Simpson

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