Gqeberha’s love affair with the all-conquering senior and junior Springboks is set to go from strength to strength over the next few years.
After successfully staging a sell-out Test between SA and Italy, EP rugby bosses want to bring the Boks back to the city in 2026.
Emboldened by a raucous 46,000 crowd that packed the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to watch the men in green and gold whip Italy 45-0, EP president George Malgas has his eyes on another blockbuster Test.
A bonus for Bay rugby fans is that the Junior Boks, who were crowned world champions after beating New Zealand on Saturday, will be returning to Gqeberha for the next three years.
The Baby Boks will be competing against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the annual Under-20 Rugby Championship.
Though 10th-ranked Italy were gallant in defeat and earned the respect of the Gqeberha crowd, Malgas wants a top-ranked nation to be the Springboks’ next opponent in the Bay.
Though he would not be drawn on which team he wanted to play in the metro, he could be eyeing a visit by a top-ranked side such as France, England, New Zealand or Australia.
The Boks, with their big contingent of home-grown heroes, enjoy playing in Gqeberha and have turned the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium into an impregnable fortress in recent years.
Thanks to their commanding victory over the Azzurri, SA stretched their imposing unbeaten record at the iconic venue to nine matches.
The tone for the Italy clash was set by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who was given a rousing reception by fans when he walked onto the field holding aloft the World Cup before kickoff.
Since their first game at the stadium in 2011, when they beat the All Blacks 18-5, the Boks have become unbeatable at the venue.
Malgas said the people of the Bay and surrounding areas had given EP ammunition to be bolder and to go after bigger Tests.
He said negative perceptions about Gqeberha had changed and that the tide had turned in EP’s relationship with SA Rugby.
Long may this love affair between the Boks and Gqeberha continue to flourish.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.