Newlands Stadium

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 07: Newlands Rugby Stadium The Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at DHL Newlands on October 07, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. To- date, Springboks and All Blacks have played 93 matches against each other with New Zealand winning 55 matches of these matches. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

Newlands Stadium, no more: Why it’s so difficult to let go

Western Province Rugby finds its new home at the modern Cape Town Stadium.

Newlands Stadium

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 07: Newlands Rugby Stadium The Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at DHL Newlands on October 07, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. To- date, Springboks and All Blacks have played 93 matches against each other with New Zealand winning 55 matches of these matches. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

The recent announcement that Cape Town Stadium is set to become the home of the Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU), has left some Capetonians heartsore about the looming demolition of Newlands Rugby Stadium.

The City of Cape Town, along with the union announced on 1 November that the WPRU would become the primary tenant as of February 2021, in a deal that could last 99 years.

The hopeless bid to save Newlands Rugby Stadium

A founder of “Save Newlands Stadium” campaign and Plumstead resident, Ellen Fedele, said the news came as a shock.

“The news is a devastating blow as we have been trying to raise awareness within the general public and among famous rugby personalities to save the world’s second-oldest rugby stadium.”

“It is, however, not surprising that this is happening because money talks, even at the cost of our history. It is sad that because of financial mismanagement, we are set to lose the home of rugby in South Africa,” she said.

“The Facebook group “Save Newlands Stadium” has been created for comments, suggestions, discussions. This is not about rugby vs soccer, colour issues etc – this is about an iconic building potentially disappearing from our beautiful skyline forever.”

So, why is Newlands Stadium so important to Cape Town?

Newlands stadium is filled with a rich history that stretches back long before any of us were born. First and foremost, it’s the oldest rugby stadium in South Africa and the fourth-oldest rugby stadium in the world.

The first official match at Newlands kicked off on 31 May 1890, when Stellenbosch Rugby Club defeated the Villagers in front of a crowd of about 2 400 people.

In 1891 the stadium hosted its first rugby test when the British Lions (British Isles) toured South Africa.

Today, the stadium seats 51 900 people.

After 1990 the stadium underwent a string of renovations, adding technology, increasing capacity, and upgrading facilities, in a three-phase redevelopment plan in anticipation of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when Newlands hosted the opening match of the tournament between the Springboks and Wallabies.

Newlands has been regarded as among the best rugby grounds in the world, combining intimate seating, a beautiful view of Table Mountain, and a great atmosphere both inside and outside the ground.

Why the move to Cape Town Stadium ‘makes sense’

While some are fighting to keep Newlands stadium as is, there are some longing for change and willing to look past the spectre of antiquated traditions.

WPRU President Zelt Marais said that moving to Cape Town stadium is not a bad thing.

“This is a watershed moment for Western Province Rugby as we open an exciting new chapter which will help ensure our financial sustainability and grow the game in the future,” he said.

A user on Twitter tweeted:

“It would be very hard to modernise Newlands and the move to Cape Town stadium was inevitable.”