Bok Tests, Currie Cup final set for capacity crowds

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The home Test matches against Wales and New Zealand, as well as the Currie Cup final, will be played in full-capacity stadiums after government repealed the limitations on public events and gatherings.

South Africa’s health minister, Joe Phaahla, published the latest amendments in the Government Gazette on Wednesday evening.

In addition to doing away with the limitations on public events, government has also repealed rules over wearing masks.

The decision follows a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council, which weighed in on whether the remaining Covid-19 regulations were still relevant.

Phaahla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, are set to brief the nation at 11am on Thursday.

South Africa’s stadiums had previously only been able to host up a maximum of 50% capacity, with 31,000 fans attending the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final in Cape Town last Saturday.

This comes in the buildup to the Currie Cup final between Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley on Saturday, just over a week away from the first Test match between the Springboks and Wales in Pretoria.

The Springboks host Wales in a three-Test series in July, with the other two matches being played in Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

The All Blacks are also set to play two Tests against the Springboks in the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship in Mbombela and Johannesburg on 6 and 13 August.

Speaking to Sport24, Ellis Park managing director Pieter Burger welcomed the news.

“We’re by no means out of the woods, but this is a brilliant start. I’m not just happy for us at the Lions, but our counterparts too.”

Photo: Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images

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Dylan Jack