Barbarians are in town

Cape Town is set to experience an electric atmosphere tomorrow, Saturday, June 28, as thousands of rugby fans gather at DHL Stadium for the season opener showdown between the Springboks and the British-based Barbarians.

This thrilling matchup marks the Barbarians' inaugural tour of South Africa and will kick off a five-month international season for the reigning world champions.

The encounter is not just a friendly affair; it is part of a busy schedule for the Springboks, who will also participate in the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and an end-of-year tour to Europe.

Rugby enthusiasts can look forward to another exciting match later in the year when the Springboks face off against Australia in August as they attempt to defend their Rugby Championship title.

With such a massive turnout anticipated, local authorities are taking proactive measures to manage the expected influx of visitors to the stadium.

The City's mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith, emphasised the importance of utilising alternative transport options to alleviate traffic congestion on match day.

“We are anticipating more than 40 000 spectators for this game, which will affect traffic on match day. To reduce congestion and help fans get to the stadium on time, we've worked closely with the event organiser to provide alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. We strongly encourage all spectators to make use of the park-and-ride system, which is a convenient and reliable way to avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey to the venue,” Mr Smith said.

Gates at the stadium will open at noon, and fans are encouraged to arrive early. Additionally, a free MyCiTi shuttle service will be operating from various locations, including Century City, CTICC, Thibault Square, and Civic Centre stations, providing transport for matchday ticket holders.

The first shuttles will leave at noon, with return services running until 9.30pm.

For those driving to the game, parking facilities include:

• Civic Centre: Free parking bays available from 11.30am on a first-come, first-served basis, accessible via Hertzog Boulevard and Civic Road.
• Century City (Steelbridge E-Parking): Limited free parking bays for ticket holders; security will monitor the area, but the parking remains at the owner’s risk. Paid parking options are also available at the mall.
• CBD on-street parking: Offered free from 1pm. Paid parking can be found at Parkalot on Jack Craig Street and Harbour Arch on Harbour Arch Boulevard, both of which provide free shuttle transport to the Civic Centre.

There will also be a designated e-hailing drop-off and pick-up area at P13 on Green Point Main Road, ensuring ease of access for those using rideshare services.

Motorists and locals should be aware of road closures and restrictions in the Green Point Precinct and Granger Bay, which will be in effect on match day:

• Fritz Sonnenberg Road: Full closure between McDonalds (P3) and Vlei Road from 6am until 6am (24 hours).
• Stephan Way: Full closure between Fritz Sonnenberg and Hamilton’s RFC from 6am untill 10.30pm.
• Vlei Road: Full closure between Helen Suzman Boulevard and Fritz Sonnenberg from 6am untill 10.30pm.
• Fort Wynyard Street: Full closure between Portswood Road and Granger Bay Boulevard from 6am until 10.30pm.
• Granger Bay Boulevard: Restricted access between Helen Suzman Boulevard and Beach Road from 6am untill 10.30pm.

For more information visit www.eventsincapetown.com