Western Province to start life at Cape Town Stadium desperate to hold on to some of their traditions

25 February 2021 - 10:00 By Liam Del Carme and liam del carme
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General view of Cape Town Stadium, the new home for Western Province Rugby.
General view of Cape Town Stadium, the new home for Western Province Rugby.
Image: Luigi Bennett/Backapagepix

They left their old home partly because it is a relic‚ but Western Province will start life at Cape Town Stadium desperate to hold on to some of their traditions.

The most steeped in history and decorated team in the country will make their long anticipated move across town from Newlands when they play the Cheetahs in the opening round of the Franchise Cup this Saturday.

Western Province Board chairman Ebrahim Rasool said the organisation was desperate to make the stadium feel like home‚ but that they were equally eager to tap fully into the commercial opportunities their new home presents.

With the move happening while Covid-19 restrictions are still in place‚ Rasool and Co have time to get their ducks in a row before crowds are allowed in.

“What is the likely scenario that will emerge post Covid sports watching?” he asked rhetorically.

“Newlands was surrounded by residential areas‚ Cape Town Stadium is surrounded by tourism.

"How do we synergise rugby‚ golf‚ the Waterfront experience‚ boat rides‚ fan walks like was the case in Soccer World Cup 2010 ect?

"We must learn from the Sevens experience and put it on steroids.

“Cape Town Stadium is one of the most e-enabled stadiums in the world. We have to look at how we can enhance the online experience of the stadium.

"It will be a balance between long-standing traditions and the technology that is available.”

He said they want to retain as many of the traditions as possible‚ some more questionable than others.

“Like the parade when the team bus arrives with the minstrels‚ we also want to embrace the future‚” said Rasool.

Often‚ however‚ the sound of the minstrels was drowned out by the heckling of the so called Cape Crusaders fans when the home team's bus pulled up outside Newlands.

With Super Rugby at an end‚ will those fans be engaged by Western Province?

“Look‚ those are absolutely critical people‚” said Rasool.

“Whatever they say to us‚ they pay for their tickets. And so‚ they are clients although not fans of our team.

“Rugby at Cape Town Stadium will be rugby for all. Our job is not to berate the Cape Crusaders. We have to win them over.

“Imagine‚ had we succeeded in getting Lima Sopoaga to sign for us.

"Those are the innovative ways of converting Cape Crusaders so that at best they have two teams to support.

"While we play in the north they can reserve their rights in the south.”

He stressed that a trip to the stadium should be a match day experience that transcends the 80 minutes from kick-off to final whistle.

“It must be more than a rugby experience. We need to include the things that attracts‚ say‚ 100 000 people to a Super Bowl experience‚ without dragging out the half time break.

“If fans come early they can see a concert. They stay on and they can see a concert.”

With Cape Town Stadium's capacity offering around 20 000 more seats Western Province have to slightly alter the marketing of their tickets.

“We should sell family tickets instead of individual tickets. There are enormous possibilities that are opening up for us.”

While their relocation means they can smell the sea and hear the seagulls‚ they still have a considerable albatross around their neck.

Newlands‚ and what happens to the grand old dame once the shutters go up.

“That is a matter the shareholder (Western Province Rugby Union) is negotiating. There is an existing agreement with Flyt Properties‚” said Rasool about the redevelopment deal that has turned sour.

“It is my hope that when there is agreement that Newlands becomes a source of revenue for Western Province rugby in perpetuity.

"Hopefully the development plans will create that foundation and that we don't have to scrounge around for money.”

It may of course have completely the opposite effect.


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