A visit by the Stormers to play crack French side Stade Rochelais in the Investec Champions Cup on December 13 will cap an action-packed season for Gqeberha rugby fans.
Rugby poles were a rare sight at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium a few years ago, but this changed in 2025 when a series of top-level matches were played at the venue.
All the games were well supported, which suggests more top-flight clashes will be lined up for Gqeberha in 2026.
Topping the list in 2025 was a visit by the Springboks, who maintained their unbeaten record at the stadium when they thrashed Italy 45-0 in front of a sell-out 46,000 crowd.
The Springbok Women played against Canada in another milestone match for Gqeberha fans in the early game ahead of the Azurri Test.
New ground was broken for the venue when the Junior Springboks played three matches in the U21 Rugby Championship during May.
A vibrant crowd of 15,000 fans turned up to watch their final match against the All Blacks in a magnificent show of support for junior rugby.
SA rugby bosses were so impressed by the attendance, they decided the tournament, which also features Australia and Argentina, would remain in Gqeberha for the next three seasons.
Ahead of the international action, the EP Elephants played four SA Cup matches at the iconic venue.
Rugby bosses are hoping more than 30,000 fans attend the Stormers’ clash against Stade Rochelais.
The move to Gqeberha was made because the World Supercross Championship has been booked to take place Stormers’ home ground in Cape Town on the same weekend.
A 27,000 crowd turned up to watch the Cape side face Toulon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in 2024, and a bigger crowd is expected for the Stade Rochelais showdown.
Historically, the Stormers have always enjoyed solid support in the Bay, even when they played against the Southern Kings in Super Rugby.
Stormers’ director of rugby, John Dobson, said Gqeberha has proved to be a home away from home for his team in recent seasons, thanks to the tremendous support they receive.
After years of famine, long may this feast of top-class international action continue.
The Herald
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