The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is set to become a buzzing rugby mecca in 2025 with the Stormers and EP Elephants playing matches at the venue.
Rugby poles at the 46,000-seat stadium were a rarity in 2024, but moves behind the scenes could see the Stormers playing as many as three games in the Bay and EP hosting all their SA Cup games at the venue.
Stormers head coach John Dobson has thrown his weight behind an idea that could see his team using the NMB Stadium rather than the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch as an alternative venue.
There are normally three games a year where the Stormers are forced to use an alternative venue and Dobson can see value in playing all those games in Gqeberha.
After a nomadic existence of playing at venues scattered around the metro, an agreement had been reached for the Elephants to return to the NMB Stadium, EP Rugby executive member Mbulelo Gidane said.
During 2024, EP played SA Cup matches away from the NMB Stadium at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele, the Central Field in Kariega and the De Wet Stadium in Despatch.
Gidane said the agreement would enable the Elephants to have a permanent headquarters for their home SA Cup matches in 2025.
“I was mandated to start negotiations with the stadium for a tenant agreement,” Gidane said.
“I sat with the bosses of the NMB Stadium and we came to an agreement that we must sign a tenant agreement for EP to fully use the stadium.
“The carrot we were dangling in front of them is that in 2025 we will be playing in the SA Cup and those are televised games.”
Bay rugby fans put their best foot forward two weeks ago when almost 27,000 fans turned up to watch the Stormers play crack French outfit Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup.
The move to Gqeberha was made because the HSBC Cape Town Sevens took place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on the same weekend.
“It is above my pay grade so maybe it is not something I should comment on, but I can certainly see the good that can be had out of using Gqeberha as our alternative venue rather than Stellenbosch,” Dobson said.
“Of course, we do get passionate support at the Danie Craven Stadium, but that feels a bit provincial, compared to this feeling like a big occasion, doesn’t it?
“It is like the same rugby culture we are used to.
“You look up at the crowd in the warm-up and you see all these people in striped jerseys and we loved playing here.”
Stormers skipper Neethling Fouche said: “With such a big crowd behind you, players cannot ask for more.
“When you run out you are literally getting goosebumps and this is not even the Western Cape.
“The Stormers were grateful for all the support and it just sucks that we could not give them the win.
“The crowd deserved a win for the way they came out in big numbers and the passion they showed.”
Danville Bush, HOD of facilities and technical at the stadium, said it was wonderful to welcome EP to the stadium.
“The anchor tenant agreement has been coming on for a long time,” he said.
“It has been a shame that rugby could not be played here in the past few years due to certain supply chain rules that could not happen.
“That was understood by EP and we appreciated their patience.
“Now that the agreement is signed, we would like to welcome EP back home.”
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