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'Pitch looks horrendous' - Cape Town Stadium surface slammed
By Ian Cameron
The less than ideal playing surface at Cape Town Stadium for the Springboks versus Wales decider was widely criticised on social media today.
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A tired-looking Wales were beaten 30-14 by Jacques Nienaber’s South Africa in the third Test, a result which saw them lose the three-match series 2-1.
The spectacle wasn’t helped by the playing surface at the stadium located in Green Point, with players frequently losing their footing on the turf as it gave way beneath them.
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The slippery playing surface made running treacherous for the two teams. As it happened, both sides losing players to injuries. South African winger Cheslin Kolbe and Wales flanker Dan Lydiate were both forced off.
In fact there were concerns coming into the match about what the state of the pitch would be given the URC Final that was held there in June also suffered from the same affliction.
“We haven’t played a game there in about three to four weeks, so I am not 100 percent sure what the surface looks like at the moment,” South African prop Steven Kitshoff warned before the game. “With the URC [Final] it was a bit slippery and certain areas of the field were not in great shape but we were promised by the groundskeepers that they would fix the surface and hopefully it holds up very nicely this weekend.”
The playing surface was a talking point on social media throughout the game.
Cindy Poluta wrote: “Players literally replanting the grass after every scrum. SHOCKING pitch”.
Players literally replanting the grass after every scrum
SHOCKING pitch#RSAvWAL— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) July 16, 2022
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“Re-lay the surface. The pitch can’t tear up from a step by George North of all people. If you can’t then sorry but don’t host any games there,” wrote one miffed Twitter account.
#RSAvWAL
Re-lay the surface.
The pitch can’t tear up from a step by George North of all people.
If you can’t then sorry but don’t host any games there.— El Hefe (@The_fusse) July 16, 2022
“Beautiful stadium, once again piss poor playing surface!,” wrote one Welsh fan.
Beautiful stadium, once again piss poor playing surface! #RSAvWAL
— Keith Wall ??????? (@covtaff58) July 16, 2022
“Could be the first test match ever abandoned due to the pitch. Joke of a surface,” wrote another.
Could be the first test match ever abandoned due to the pitch.
Joke of a surface.#RSAvWAL
— Stephen Wall (@StephenWall1985) July 16, 2022
“This pitch looks horrendous to play on!! Players slipping all over the place!!” bemoaned another irked Welshmen.
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This pitch looks horrendous to play on!! Players slipping all over the place!! #RSAvWAL
— Llyr Davies (@L11YRD) July 16, 2022
One fan likened it to a sweet dish. “This pitch is like the skin on a custard”.
This pitch is like the skin on a custard #RSAvWAL
— Jonathan Flowers ?? (@jonathanflowers) July 16, 2022
Others saw a potential conspiracy in the state of the pitch, suggesting it played to the host’s advantage. Dominic Bate wrote: ‘Wouldn’t be surprised if South Africa purposely prepared the pitch like this in order to make running rugby more difficult and aid their forward dominated game.’
Wouldn’t be surprised if South Africa purposely prepared the pitch like this in order to make running rugby more difficult and aid their forward dominated game. ? #RSAvWAL
— Dominic Bate (@DomBate) July 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/KyleGriffiths22/status/1548330787988156416
I'd cry if I got pinged for collapsing a scrum on this surface #RSAvWAL
— Rhys Knott (@wrhys_writes) July 16, 2022
A duel use stadium, the owners may have to look at better managing the pitch in the new season.
