Durban prepares to host Springboks versus Ireland second test

The second test between the Springboks and Ireland will take place at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban tomorrow, Saturday July 13

The stakes are high as the Springboks beat Ireland 27-20 in the first test in Pretoria last week.

Ireland and South Africa have played each other on 29 occasions since their first meeting in 1906. The Springboks have won 19 matches, while Ireland have won nine matches.

The game is set to attract a crowd of about 52 000 with a breakdown of 2 080 foreign visitors, 11 440 domestic overnight visitors and a total of 38 480 day visitors, including eThekwini residents, said eThekwini deputy mayor Zandile Myeni.

“Hosting the game will have a direct spend of R125 million and Gross Domestic Product contribution of R309 million with 559 jobs created in eThekwini. Hosting such sporting events brings a much-needed boost to the local tourism sector and the economy in general, ” said Ms Myeni.

She added that the city is looking forward to welcoming a number of foreign visitors this weekend. This will further boost the accommodation and tourism sectors following a successful weekend of the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville racecourse on Saturday July 6.

“Through Durban Tourism, eThekwini will be abuzz with various activations happening on the King’s Park Outer Fields. There will be Zulu dancers, rickshaw pullers and other tourism products on display to showcase to visitors what Durban has to offer,” said Ms Myeni.

City teams have already begun with a pre-match clean-up operation around the city and the stadium precinct. This is part of a long-term programme to ensure a clean environment and revitalise tourism in eThekwini.

Residents and visitors are also requested to play their part to keep the city clean by following proper waste management practices which includes disposing of waste in the street litter bins strategically placed around the stadium.

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, extended his best wishes to the Springboks.

He noted the presence of several Springbok players from the Sharks team. “This test match is more of a home game; go out there and use your home ground advantage, the home province advantage.”

Recalling the Springboks’ recent performance at Loftus Versfeld, where they secured a 27-20 victory over Ireland, Premier Ntuli called on the Shark Tank crowd to replicate the electrifying atmosphere with their songs, dance, and drums.