Challenge at Sisa is off

IN A blow for rugby fans in the Border region, this weekend’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge Festival that was due to be played at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane has been cancelled.

Two SuperSport Challenge quarterfinal matches were fixtured, as well as an exciting club knockout final involving two Border clubs, but these will not go ahead.

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) says logistical problems, coupled with requests from teams who were supposed to travel to the game, were chief among the reasons why it was shelved.

This meant there were also question marks hanging over the semifinals that were to be played in Cape Town next week, and the final which was scheduled for Oudtshoorn.

“We had hoped to stage a Rugby Festival in the quarterfinal round of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, but unfortunately due to logistical reasons and requests from the provinces, it was decided to host the four matches at the homeground of the top four qualified teams,” a SA Rugby spokesman said. “The same will apply for the semifinals next weekend, but we are looking at hosting a Rugby Festival again for the final.”

Saru’s decision that came at rather short notice, has left Border fans with no live provincial rugby action until the Currie Cup First Division competition kicks off later in the year.

Over the past year-and-a-half Sisa Dukashe has hosted three festivals, two of which occurred last year – including the competition’s – and one this year.

Each festival has been very well supported, with the first one last year drawing the biggest crowd, while the other two drew healthy support.

“We are very disappointed that this decision was taken at the last minute, we had a drive going to get people to the stadium and I am sure we would have been able to get over 15 000 people,” Border Rugby marketing manager Akhona Mgijima said.

“The East London community is also very disappointed that the festival has been cancelled, this is a rugby-loving region and the supporters always turn out in their numbers to watch top-class rugby.

“It is just unfortunate that rugby people won’t see what the Border region could offer as a whole for this festival, so we apologise to our supporters.”

There is however a silver lining for fans still keen to catch some exciting rugby action. The club Nashua Knockout final, which was supposed to kickoff Sunday’s festival of rugby, will instead be played at Nashua Park (Old Selbornians) tonight.

Two of Border Super League’s bestperforming teams, the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks and Swallows will be going all out for the title.

“I think that this was one of the main attractions for the Sunday festival, so I am sure Old Selbornians fields will be packed in support of that game,” said Mgijima.

“I am sure that fans will be going to support both those teams in a big game, so they must come and enjoy the rugby on Friday [tonight].” semifinals