Ticket squeeze on for Bulls semi at Orlando

Rugby followers hoping to be part of history in the making at the Orlando stadium on Saturday had better act quickly when ticket sales to the public open tomorrow.

Only a limited number will go on sale for the Bulls' Super14 semifinal on Saturday.

"Our suite holders will get their 10000 tickets, then our 14000 season ticket holders have the option to buy tickets," Bulls chief executive Barend van Graan said.

"After that, we have to satisfy the demand of our clubs and our sponsors and only then will the remainder be made available through Computicket," he said.

Tickets will sell at R250 each.

"At this stage I cannot predict how many will be left. Judging by telephone enquiries, there seems to be quite a demand."

Loftus stadium was put off limits for this clash because it is a Fifa Soccer World Cup venue and the Blue Bulls Company has only40000 seats available at the Orlando Stadium - 10000 fewer than at their home ground.

All of which means a R2.5-million shortfall for the company.

"Of course, the overheads cannot be the same because we had to hire the stadium. I have to say, however, that the City of Johannesburg's municipality has been most accommodating in that regard," Van Graan said.

"This decision has really been one of survival, given the limited options available to us. In 2006, we decided to bid to host World Cup matches because we really wanted to be part of it.

"We didn't know we'd find ourselves in this position and we even asked Sanzar to start this year's tournament earlier.

"We are breaking into a new market and people have been really positive. Already there is a lodge that is offering drinks to the first 200 Bulls supporters.

"We are honoured to be playing at the Orlando Stadium," he said.

The Sunday Times understands a number of government officials are interested in attending the match.

Moving the game to Soweto was not all plain sailing.

Not all the Bulls' fans were happy to cross the Jukskei - or perhaps the Rubicon - to Soweto, and logistical issues such as parking for buses required high-level intervention.

"Logistically it has been challenging - especially considering we had to vacate our premises for Fifa on Friday and have to set up shop elsewhere.

"But everything, including where the buses will park, has been sorted out," Van Graan said.

That seems to extend even to recreating the Loftus gees at the Orlando Stadium.

"That's why everybody must arrive wearing blue. There will be entertainment but we are not going to do anything differently," said Van Graan.

Supporters can travel to Orlando stadium by train (70m from the stadium), by using the park-and-ride service from SuperSport Park via Nasrec, or the park-and-ride from Nasrec.

Van Graan confirmed that if the Bulls won their semifinal, they would return to Orlando Stadium for the final of the Super14 on May 29.

"But we have to get there first," he cautioned.