Big crowd may do the trick for Kings
SOUTHERN Kings officials are expecting between 20 000 and 30 000 fans to flock to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to watch their team’s crunch Super Rugby showdown against the Sharks on Saturday.
A Test match atmosphere prevailing in Port Elizabeth after the Kings won their previous matches against the Waratahs and Rebels and a #FILLTHESTADIUM campaign is being run on social media.
“We saw big crowds in 2013 when the whole of the Eastern Cape supported the Kings. We are getting the same response now on social media so we are hoping to get the actual numbers coming through to the stadium,” Kings media manager Chumani Bambani said.
“A full stadium of 45 000 would be the top priority and what we would like, but if we are more realistic perhaps between 20 000 to 30 000. We would be expecting nothing less than that.”
A full day’s rugby and entertainment has been planned for the crowd ahead of the Super Rugby Showdown
“We have a curtain-raiser between the EP Kings and the Border Bulldogs which kicks off at 2.30pm ahead of the main Sharks clash which kicks off at 5.15pm.
“To start the day we have a game between the EP Academy and the Stellenbosch Academy at 12.30pm on the stadium’s B Field to start a festival of rugby. There will also be deejays in the beer garden which will open at midday,” Bambani said.
“Our players were also promoting the game at the Spar Ladies Race on Saturday. The ladies also just want to come to the stadium on Saturday. We want to keep the momentum going.”
Kings head coach Deon Davids said his team were focusing on a tough Sharks team which is expected to be captained by Springbok Patrick Lambie.
“The #FILLTHESTADIUM campaign is a fantastic initiative and our supporters are very important to us,” Davids said.
“I believe with better support it will bring a new energy and drive to the team. So it will be great if we can fill up the stadium.
“But at this point in time we are entirely focused on rebuilding and preparing for the Sharks game. We are happy with the results of the past two games.
“But in Super Rugby one game you are up and the next game you can be down if you don’t keep your feet on the ground and stay focused.
“We are going through our processes to ensure we prepare thoroughly to put up a good performance.”