Newlands: cheers to 125 great years
NEWLANDS stadium marks its 125th anniversary today, making it the oldest active rugby ground in the world.
On May 31 1890, club sides Villagers and Stellenbosch met in wet and muddy conditions that were so severe the curtainraiser between Hamiltons and Bishops was cancelled. According to archives, Stellenbosch won by a “goal and a try”.
Since those humble beginnings, Newlands has taken on iconic status as one of the most picturesque and storied rugby grounds in the world.
It took until 1919 for the first concrete stand to be erected and since then, there have been multiple redevelopments and additions, but the one consistent thread has been rugby.
Names have been made, reputations ruined and history created in a stadium that now has a capacity 50 064 and has 64 private suites. Some of the greatest games in SA sporting history have been played here. Five great Newlands matches Springboks vs All Blacks — July 16 1949: This was the first test match since World War II and the first in SA for 11 years.
The excitement and anticipation was huge with people queuing for tickets and sleeping outside the box office from days before.
The Boks won 15-11 thanks to five penalties from tighthead prop Okey Geffin, who was also on test debut. Jack van der Schyff missed three kicks early in the match and captain Felix du Plessis decided to gamble on Geffin. The son of Jewish immigrants, who had learned to kick in a prisoner of war camp, Geffin wrote his name into folklore that day.
The Boks won the series 4-0. Springboks vs British & Irish Lions — May 31 1980: After a chastening 3-0 series defeat against the Lions in 1974, there was massive expectation that the Boks should turn it around in the first test of the 1980 series.
Newlands stadium was overflowing on a sunny day and the match started with a vicious punch from Lions No 8 Derek Quinnell on Bok captain Morné du Plessis.
But that didn’t detract from the Boks’ focus and they made a fast start with three first-half tries. The visiting Lions fought back and it took a late try from Western Province darling Divan Serfontein to seal a 26-22 win for the hosts. Western Province vs Transvaal – September 27 1986: This was Western Province’s fifth Currie Cup title in succession and although the 22-9 final scoreline looks comfortable, the match was in the balance until the final 10 minutes.
After tries from Hugo van As for the visitors and Faffa Knoetze for the home team, Western Province led 10-9 as time ticked down. Centre Goggie van Heerden burst through to score two late tries to break Transvaal hearts and give his side their fifth straight title.
Springboks vs Australia — May 25 1995: The opening match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup was a classic with the Boks up against the reigning world champions. After a wonderful opening ceremony, the stage was set. Bok flyhalf Joel Stransky scored 22 points in every possible way as the Aussies were beaten 27-18 to give the Boks the easier path to the final, which they went on to win a month later.
Springboks vs All Blacks — August 6 2005: The All Blacks had just come off a series victory over the mighty British & Irish Lions with new flyhalf Dan Carter the talk of rugby.
But the Boks made a fast start with an intercept try from centre Jean de Villiers to run into a 13-0 lead. The All Blacks fought back and went into the break 16-13 down. But massive Bok defence restricted them to only three second half-points.
Two more penalties from Percy Montgomery’s boot gave the Springboks a 22-16 victory.