Moses Mabhida Stadium to host historic Sharks match:
Feel it, it’s here, it’s the Durban Challenge, a clash between the Cell C Sharks and the Union Bordeaux Bègles, from France hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 17 August 2018.
This historic rugby game will see the Cell C Sharks play their first ever game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in a spectacle that is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the City of Durban.
Speaking at the launch of the inaugural Durban Challenge, the Mayor, Cllr Zandile Gumede said the City was very excited to host the Durban Challenge and that it stood to a lot of benefits to the City.
“This game is one of the many initiatives that we will be undertaking as part of our partnership with the Cell C Sharks. It is important to highlight that the Cell C Sharks have a partnership with the City which is the base for us taking this relationship to one of the city’s biggest attractions, Moses Mabhida Stadium, which has played host to major international events. This spectacle not only brings visitors to the city, it provides a valuable platform that position Durban as a sporting capital”, she said.
Commenting on this match, The Sharks CEO, Gary Teichmann, said: “Through our valued partnership with Durban Tourism, we are happy to be participating in this exciting inaugural Durban Challenge match against a strong Bordeaux Bègles team. We at The Sharks are gearing to host an exciting Test Match the following day and the support of our community is instrumental to the success of this festival of rugby in our province over that weekend.”
“It is important to highlight that our city will also host the Test Match between the Springboks and Argentina on Saturday, 18 August, at JONSSON KINGS PARK. This showcase of rugby by both the Cell C Sharks and Springboks is great for our city and we hope rugby fans across the country, continent and globally will descend to our shores and experience warmth of our people,” added Gumede.
We anticipate over 50 000 people to attend this rugby showcase, with potential economic spinoff estimated to over R 75 Million. Our city infrastructure and capacity to host such events places the city of Durban in a better position to attract visitors to the city, whilst ensuring that sustained jobs are created during hosting such games.
Partnership between government and private sector is key in ensuring that the city’s economy, adequate infrastructure and new developments continue to positively change the economy landscape and skyline of Durban.
The post Moses Mabhida Stadium to host historic Sharks match appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
There is a spring in the step in the Cell C Sharks camp as the players prepare for the return of Vodacom Super Rugby action and the challenge ahead of them.
The Emirates Lions visit JONSSON KINGS PARK this Saturday in the return leg match between the two sides and following the break for the June Tests, this is the first of the final three matches in the tournament pool stages before the knock-out rounds.
Cell C Sharks captain Ruan Botha admits that the team face an important period in their campaign.
“There are three games left in the pool stages and it would be safe to say that we need to win all three,” he explains. “This is make or break time for us.”
Following the month off, the players are looking forward to being back in action, although a number did represent the Springboks and a few more were in SuperSport Rugby Challenge action for the Cell C Sharks XV on the weekend.
“Having these four weeks to plan and prepare for what lies ahead just emphasised just how important these games are,” he explains. “We need to focus on each game, starting with the Lions, and look to get maximum points out of each game.
“We are excited to be back. It’s nice to see the guys who made the Bok team back at the stadium, they bring a lot of energy. But this is a humble team and no one is walking around like he’s the bee’s knees, they’re all just happy to be back with their families and team-mates. It’s almost like having a school reunion.”
Although he admits that they are taking it game by game with the focus right now on the Lions “Which won’t be an easy match,” he believes that the run in to the quarter-finals suits the Cell C Sharks perfectly.
“When you think of a path to get to the quarter-finals, this is the ideal one for us, with two home games and one away, which is still in South Africa so there isn’t a lot of travel involved, whereas some teams still need to travel.”
But first things first, we have to overcome the Lions.
“This Lions side is a very tough team to play, but we are preparing as best we can.
“And they are getting a few big names back, Warren Whitely, Malcolm Marx, Ruan Combrinck, all back from injury which is a big boost for them. Then throw the fact that it’s a South African derby, and these are always big games, regardless of whether it’s a normal game, a semi or a final.
“So we’re expecting a big game, a hugely physical clash between the forwards, with both sets of backs look to best one another.”
In the first round match between the two sides, the Lions prevailed in a tight match with just seven points the difference. However, as far as history goes, Botha admits that it remains history.
“We don’t think about that game, I certainly don’t. It’s all in the past. The Lions have had to face a number of challenges this season with injuries, so, like us, it’s a brand new start for them after four weeks off, almost like kicking off a new campaign.
“But the stakes are bigger.”
The post Exciting Times appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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