Bulls and Lions' plan to halt dwindling URC spectators
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls and Lions will host consecutive double-header weekends over Rounds 17 and 18 of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship, at Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld Stadium respectively.
The return double-header weekend at Loftus Versfeld will also feature a bruising South African domestic rugby clash in Round 7 of the 2023 Currie Cup competition, a contest for bragging rights that cuts across the Jukskei.
These Double-Header events in South Africa are the first to be held in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship outside of Wales where Judgement Day has set the standard since 2013
Edgar Rathbone, Blue Bulls Company Chief Executive commended the tournament officials for their flexibility in supporting clubs that are seeking to create meaningful experiences for fans around the competition.
“I commend Martin (Anayi) and the entire URC team, our sponsors and the broadcaster(s) for their unwavering support as we are always exploring ways in which we can better our offering to all of our patrons,” Rathone said.
“The spirit of the competition is one that fosters unity amongst the franchises and we are duty bound to collaborate for the growth and betterment of our sport.
“We are buoyant that this double-header will add value for the money South Africans spend around gamedays and ultimately we are also confident that the quality of rugby on display will rubberstamp the tournament’s legacy in the growth of the sport in our country.”
Lions Rugby CEO, Rudolf Straeuli remarked: “We are incredibly excited at the prospect of hosting three quality international club sides all in one day at the iconic Ellis Park.
“Heading across the Jukskei the following weekend to Loftus Versfeld doesn’t get any better from an overall sportainment experience by the two host franchises.
“Since its inception, the URC, in partnership with their sponsor and broadcast partners, have been at the forefront of sports innovation and the double-header weekends are a testament to this.
“Sport in South Africa is constantly in search of creativity especially when it comes to fan engagement, and we believe that through this unique collaboration, rugby, in particular, can lead the way in bringing stakeholders together and growing the game for the greater good,” Straeuli concluded.
Stefan van der Merwe, Blue Bulls Company Chief Commercial Officer, extols the double-header as the best opportunity yet to rubberstamp the tournament as a family-oriented product.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have the willing support and partnership from the participating franchises in wanting to make this day a success and it is our collective ambition to put together two weekends that will round off what has already been a historic season of United Rugby Championship rugby,”
“We have seen the power of having multiple games in one venue in the past and how when that is complemented by great entertainment for the whole family, everyone can feel as though they got something out of a wonderful family day out in the sun. This is a formula that has worked well, specifically in this competition in Wales, and we are confident that we can learn and borrow from that model.
“We had more than 41 000 people visit Loftus for the North versus South derby and we are confident that Gauteng will come together again and set another new United Rugby Championship record with 52 000 people at the fortress.”
As a result of these event changes, alterations have also been made to the kick-off times of all four games.
The fixtures have now been confirmed as follows:
Round 17
Saturday, April 15, 2023
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Bulls v Zebre Parma
Kick-off: 13.00 (11:00 GMT)
Lions v Leinster
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT; 15.00 UK and Ireland time)
Round 18
Saturday, April 22, 2023
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Lions v Zebre Parma
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Bulls v Leinster
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT; 15:00 UK & Ireland time)
