SARU gives Bok Test the green light after stadium drama
NEWS: It seems the drama around the staging of Saturday’s Test between South Africa and Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is over.
On Monday, the South African Rugby Union issued a statement saying that they “engaged” with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
This followed reports that the authority had terminated the mandate of the Mandela Bay Development Agency to manage the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“We have received assurances that it is business as usual for Saturday’s Test against Italy and, indeed, our 09.00 operations meeting with the venue staff today [Monday] went ahead as per normal,” a SARU spokesman said.
“We have no concerns in any way that the match will be affected and will make no further comment on the matter.”
The Herald newspaper reported that Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe terminated the MBDA’s mandate to manage the stadium just one week before Saturday’s Test.
She wrote to the MBDA on Friday, saying her decision was binding and would take effect immediately.
It resulted in fears that the Test is in danger.
However, SARU allayed those fears.
Saturday’s match is the second in a two-Test series between the Springboks and Italy.
Rassie Erasmus’ side recorded a 42-24 win over the Italians in the first Test in Pretoria last Saturday.
