The much anticipated final Test match of The Castle Lager Incoming Series will be hosted in Cape Town this weekend. With the national restrictions on gatherings being lifted, the DHL Stadium is expected to be at full capacity with a crowd of about 60 000.
This is the only time the world champion Springboks will be in Cape Town this year. And we’re making sure you’re prepared for it all.
Here’s your Ultimate Guide to Bokke Saturday:
The details:
- Clash: South Africa vs Wales
- Date: Saturday, 16 July 2022
- Kick off: 5.05pm (arrive early, traffic will be heavy)
- Stadium gates open: 2pm
- Location: DHL Stadium, Green Point
- Food and drinks: there will be an array of food vendors at the stadium and multiple bars. Take cash to grab a snack from your seat. Remember to keep an eye out for our favourite biltong man.
Also read: WATCH: biltong vendor steals the show at Saturday’s rugby final
Getting there:
You have been warned: there will be heavy traffic leading into town, to the stadium. We advise arriving two or three hours early. There will be free MyCiti shuttles and a safe Fan Walk for Saturday’s Rugby fans.
Parking will be limited in the stadium precinct, therefore the City of Cape Town would like to encourage rugby fans to make use of a park and ride system as well as the Fan Walk to get to the stadium.
Fans should find parking in the CBD, away from the stadium, and take the MyCiTi to the DHL stadium. The City of Cape Town has made available a MyCiti shuttle service free for ticket holders of the rugby game.
Buses will depart from the Civic Centre and Thibault Square MyCiTi stations from 1.30pm on Saturday, with the last return bus leaving the stadium station at 10pm.
An event shuttle will also operate between the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the stadium.
For anyone bringing the ‘gees’ through the streets of Cape Town by using the Fan Walk to the stadium, methods have been put in place to ensure a safe environment before and after the game. The Fan Walk will be activated from around 1pm before the stadium gates open at 2pm.
The Fan Walk extends from the City Centre along Waterkant Street, over the pedestrian bridge at Buitengracht and along Somerset Road, through the underpass at Green Point Circle to the stadium gates.
City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said, “We will be deploying City services to mitigate any traffic congestion, secure the Fan Walk and ensure a safe environment before and after the game.”
Paid parking is also available at the CTICC (limited), Ryk Tulbagh Square, Picbel Parkade (Strand Street), Plein Park (Corporation Street) and the V&A Waterfront (limited parking).
Temporary road closures:
Residents and motorists are also advised of temporary road closures in the DHL Stadium and V&A Waterfront precincts. See below:
Bokke, beers and burgers:
- 3 places to grab a burger within walking distance of the DHL stadium
- 5 Legendary sports pubs to watch the rugby final
- 5 Northern Suburbs bars to visit for that rugby ‘gees’ on Saturday
- 6 spots in Cape Town to watch sport, sink a beer and feel the vibes!
- Your burger guide to Cape Town, as told by locals
Back your boytjies:
Get to know the gents in green and gold this weekend. From the Western Cape:
Damian Willemse
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Strand
- Position: Fullback
- Number: 15
- Intel tip: In addition to being named ‘Man if the Match for his performance against Ulster, this 2019 World Cup winner currently plays for Western Province as well as the Stormers – with whom he won the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this year.
Cheslin Kolbe
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Kraaifontein
- Position: Right-wing
- Number: 14
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. He has previously played for Toulouse in the Top14, the Stormers in Super Rugby, and Western Province in the Currie Cup.
Damian de Allende
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Cape Town
- Position: Inside centre
- Number: 12
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner is known as one of the best defensive centres in the world. He made more runs (65) than any other Springbok during the World Cup.
Handrè Pollard
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Somerset West
- Position: Flyhalf
- Number: 10
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner is an all-rounder player that can kick, pass, run and tackle. He even scored 22 points in the final, all after fracturing his eye socket during the game.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Cape Town
- Position: Blindside flank
- Number: 7
- Intel tip: After winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he was awarded the 2019 World Cup Rugby Player of the Year. He also played his club rugby for the Stormers.
Eben Etzebeth
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Cape Town
- Position: Lock
- Number: 4
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner will become the seventh and youngest player to reach 100 Test caps in this Saturday’s match.
Frans Malherbe
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Paarl
- Position: Tighthead prop
- Number: 3
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner was schooled at Paarl Boys’ High and represented Western Province through age-group level before making his Stormers debut at the age of 20 in 2011. He currently has the third-most caps for the team.
Steven Kitshoff
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Somerset West
- Position: Loosehead prop
- Number: 17
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner is an overwhelming force at the set piece in a front row that at times has featured the all-Springbok combination of hooker Scarra Ntubeni and tighthead Frans Malherbe. He also serves as the Stormers’ co-captain.
Willie le Roux
On-field:

Off-field:

- Place of birth: Stellenbosch
- Position: Utility back
- Number: 23
- Intel tip: This 2019 World Cup winner has won more than 50 caps for South Africa. He was dubbed ‘King of the Assists’ with 21 in the 2017 – 2018 Premiership league campaign.
Meet the whole squad:
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Lukhanyo Am
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Siya Kolisi (captain)
- Jasper Wiese
- Lood de Jager
- Trevor Nyakane
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Malcom Marx
- Vincent Koch
- Franco Mostert
- Kwagga Smith
- Elrigh Louw
- Faf de Klerk
Now that you’re all clued up, all that’s left to do is enjoy the vibe. We’re backing our boys all the way!
Also read:
WATCH: The Stormers celebrate through the streets of Cape Town
Picture: Gallo