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Rugby World Cup fever mounts

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Rugby World Cup fever mounts:

South Africans across the country are gripped by the green and gold fever ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, which will pit South Africa’s Springboks against the All Blacks from Modern Zealand. 

If the semi-final is anything to depart by, the final game promises to be a nail-biting encounter that will hold every fan on the edge of their seat as the teams disappear head-to-head at 9pm sharp. 

From schools, companies, and restaurants to social media posts, the Springbok jersey-wearing South Africans are counting down the hours to what will fade down in history as one of the most memorable World Cup finals in Stade de France. 

If South Africa wins, this will be the first time any country will hold four Rugby World Cup titles. 

Even President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be cheering in the crowd as he will be travelling to Paris to support the Springboks in their quest to defend the Webb Ellis trophy. 

“The President is really looking forward to being invited onto the pitch for a second time by captain Siya Kolisi to assist lift the cup for the world champions,” said the President’s Office. 

Meanwhile, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa on Friday joined the Springbok captain’s race to send well wishes to the Bokke. 

“The Springboks are ready for the final. This is your team, fellow South Africans. Let’s access behind our pride and joy! Yivale maBhokobhoko,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.  

According to SA Rugby, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber predicts a powerful onslaught from the All Blacks and said they posed threats in every aspect of the game. 

“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always special and hard-fought, and with this being a World Cup final, the rivalry is expected to be more intense. They acquire an experienced squad with a physical pack and a backline that can create magic from nothing, so we’ll maintain to be at our best on attack and defence to access the result.”

For Springbok fans, SuperSport, the home of the Rugby World Cup 2023, will broadcast the final match live. 

The South African game will be also shown on SABC.

And for those who prefer huge screens and a bit of a crowd, provinces across South Africa are gearing up for the showdown and bringing on the heat to support the Bokke by having dedicated fan parks. 

Some of these, of which most entrance is free, fans can also delight in some live music in the build-up to the game.

Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga, said it has identified three sites for public viewing, one in each district of the province. 

“These public viewing areas will be located in previously disadvantaged communities, which over the years maintain shown growing interest in the sport of rugby.” 

Where to watch the Rugby World Cup across the country.

Eastern Cape

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (free entry, gates open at 7pm). 

Sisa Dukashe Stadium (Mdantsane). 

Police Park (East London).

Baby Swag (Zwelitsha). 

Macelegusha.

Northern Cape

AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley (gates open at 4pm to appreciate some live musical entertainment in the build-up to the game).

Limpopo 

Civic Centre Park in Polokwane (free entry). 

Mpumalanga

Nkangala District (Siyabuswa Retail Centre, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality). 

Gert Sibande District (Loft Lounge Corner Ennis and Oosthuise Street, Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality).

Ehlanzeni District (Praxos Butchery, Schoemansdal, Nkomazi Local Municipality).

Gauteng 

Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg (gates to open from 7pm). Fans can also expect to be entertained by Jozi FM DJs in the lead-up to the game. 

Pretoria’s Loftus Park (gates open at 6pm). R 120 per person for general admission includes a free parking ticket and can be purchased electronically. 

North West 

Hoërskool Rustenburg (Bojanala) and Maseru Park (Mahikeng).

Free State

SaamTrek Fan Park – Phakisa Raceway. 

Western Cape 

Bree Street (between Church and Hout Street, Cape Town CBD). There will be soft road closures from Wale to Strand Street and Loop to Buitengracht, including all side roads leading to the venue. 

Monwabisi Sport and Recreation Centre (Langa). 

Westridge Civic Centre (Mitchells Plain). 

KwaZulu-Natal 

Durban ICC (gates swing open at 7pm). Fans can expect the huge screen, refreshing drinks and delectable food, drink specials and secure and hassle-free parking facilities. 

Pietermaritzburg’s Woodburn Rugby Stadium (gate to open at 3pm). Children below 12 years free and there will be food stalls live music and secured parking. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Ponte City: Transformation

As the “white flight” of the 1980s and 90s drained the inner city of capital, Ponte City underwent a dramatic and terrifying transformation. By the late 1990s, the building had become a “vertical slum” and a symbol of urban decay. It was famously “hijacked” by gangs; the retail levels were stripped, and the building became a fortress for drug dealing and human trafficking. The most haunting image from this era was the central core. Originally designed to be a light-filled courtyard, it became a literal trash heap. Residents on the upper floors would throw their refuse into the center of the building rather than taking it down. At its worst point, the trash in the core reached five stories high—a mountain of rotting debris, discarded furniture, and even, legend has it, the remains of those who had fallen or jumped.

During this period, the reputation of Ponte was so toxic that there was a serious proposal in 1998 to turn the entire skyscraper into a vertical prison. The plan was eventually scrapped, but the building remained a “no-go zone” for nearly a decade. The turnaround began in the mid-2000s when developers New Metro Property Group and later Dlala Nje began a massive, painstaking refurbishment. They cleared out the tons of trash from the core, restored the lifts (which had often been out of order, forcing residents to climb 50 flights of stairs), and implemented strict security protocols.