Soccer City in Varsity Cup lock-out
rugby365 has reliably learnt that games will be played at some of the country's most iconic stadiums – including Soccer City in Soweto, Ellis Park and the Cape Town stadium.
However, no spectators will be allowed in, as organisers try to avoid the chaos that erupted at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein two weeks ago – when protesters and angry students engaged in violent clashes after a game was disrupted.
The tournament was then put on hold due to several violent student protests at other institutions, as organisers feared the politically motivated riots would spill over into other rugby venues.
The organisers are planning to issue a media release on Thursday, with more details, but rugby365 can also reveal that the Easter weekend is earmarked to catch up the two rounds of suspended matches.
The move to Soweto is significant, as rugby matches in the South-Western township usually draws large crowds.
However, this time it will be an empty stadium that greets the players.
The last rugby match to be played at Soccer City was when South Africa hosted New Zealand in a Rugby Championship match in 2012, while the Bulls made history in 2010 when they took their Super Rugby semifinal and Final to the Orlando Stadium – because their home ground, Loftus Versfeld, was being prepared for the soccer World Cup to be hosted in South Africa later that year.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
