Springboks to welcome back the fans properly

There is some good news for the South African rugby fans – the Springboks’ home Tests in 2022 and Saturday’s Currie Cup Final are set for capacity crowds after the SA government repealed limitations on public events and gatherings.

Health minister Joe Phaahla published the latest amendments in the Government Gazette late on Wednesday.

Rules on wearing masks were also repealed. This latest development follows a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council, which discussed matters on whether the remaining Covid-19 regulations were still relevant.

It should be good news for Griquas who are hoping for a large crowd for Saturday’s Currie Cup Final against the Pumas at Griqua Park in Kimberley.

It’s also a massive boost for the Springboks and SA Rugby as they welcome Wales for a three-Test series in July.

Soon after that series, the All Blacks will be heading to South Africa for two Test matches in the Rugby Championship.

Their first meeting will be in Nelspruit on August 6 before they meet again in Johannesburg on August 13.

However, the latest amendments comes too late for the United Rugby Championship Final.

The Stormers beat the Bulls in front of a 50 percent capacity crowd (31 000 fans) at Cape Town Stadium last weekend.

Asked by RugbyPass this week for his thoughts on finally getting to play in front of a home crowd in South Africa after an extraordinarily long wait, Nienaber said: “Listen, it will be phenomenal for us, for South Africa. If you think of the fans in South Africa, as the Springboks we haven’t played in front of a crowd since we won the World Cup.

“We have never performed in our country for our country as world champions (with a crowd watching). The last time we played in South Africa was against Argentina at Loftus before we went to the World Cup, so it is going to be massive for us. And the same for the players from Wales, there was a big contingent of them on the Lions tour and it will be awesome. Touchwood nothing happens going forward and things stay as almost back to normal as it is.”