LARGE CROWDS COULD SEE SEVENS RETAINED
More than 53 000 at Kings’ home games
THOUGH the EP Kings struggled to keep their heads above water in the Currie Cup Premier Division, they still managed to attract healthy crowds to watch their battle for survival in the top flight.
That was one of the big positives Eastern Province took away from their return to the Premier Division last year after a 12-year absence.
Despite winning only one of their 10 Currie Cup matches, the Kings drew 53 570 fans to their five home matches at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
This was an average of 10 714 fans a match and left the Kings fourth on the list of best home crowd attendances in South Africa.
Added to this were the huge attendances for the Springbok versus Scotland test match, the Kings versus Wales showdown and the IRB World Sevens Series.
Almost 41 000 fans watched the Scotland test and there were 15 000 fans for the midweek game against Wales.
The record crowd of more than 63 041 over the two days for the Sevens also means that the tournament is likely to return to Port Elizabeth after the success of the event held on December 13 and 14 .
Last year’s attendance was an increase of 8% on the 2013 turnout and left EP and SA Rugby officials with big smiles on their faces.
A massive crowd of 36 504 fans watched the Blitz Boks beat New Zealand in a thrilling final and SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux was full of praise for Port Elizabeth rugby fans afterwards
“It has been a terrific weekend at the stadium. The attendance was pleasing and I think that everyone who came to the Sevens must have enjoyed themselves,” Roux said.
“The city certainly caught Sevens fever and Port Elizabeth showed itself to its best advantage.
“World Rugby will make an announcement on the location of Sevens venues in due course. PE has certainly put its hand up.”
The overall attendance figures for the Currie Cup season showed that Port Elizabeth was hungry for top-flight rugby.
Before the semifinals and final, the Kings can be pleased that they managed to attract more fans to their home games than even the Blue Bulls.
The full attendance table for the 10 league matches was: Western Province (79 029), Golden Lions (57 432), Sharks (57 417), EP Kings (53 570), Blue Bulls (47 135), Free State Cheetahs (37 764), Pumas (24 924) and Griquas (11 200).
When the Vodacom Cup kicks off in March the Kings will be keen to string together a winning sequence that will get fans flocking to the stadium.
SA Rugby will decide whether the Sevens returns to Port Elizabeth for the next four years shortly and EP officials will be keen for all their home matches to be well attended.
Though EP Rugby failed in their bid to host a test match this season, there will still be a busy programme of rugby for fans to look forward to.
EP had been hoping to host the Rugby Championship match against Argentina.
The Springboks will play New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on July 25 and Argentina at Kings Park in Durban on August 8.
ý Kings need to hit ground winning – Page 11