Bulls set to play in Soweto (Gallo)

Pretoria - The Bulls will create history if they qualify for the Super 14 semifinals and finals this year by playing the crucial matches in Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The current Super 14 leaders confirmed they had signed an agreement with Stadium Management South Africa (Pty) Ltd and the City of Johannesburg, who both agreed in principle to host the games.

This will be the first time such a massive rugby game is played at a soccer venue.

The move was made necessary as Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls home ground, is a FIFA World Cup venue and therefore cannot be used for the play-off rounds of the Super 14. There is no other stadium in Pretoria which can hold the capacity crowd for such a match, and the closest rugby ground – Ellis Park – is also a FIFA World Cup venue.

It was suggested the game should be played at Supersport Park in Centurion, but the cricket ground slopes outward from the pitch and also has a small crowd capacity. The Bulls hosted semifinals in 2007 and 2009 as well as the final in 2009.

The real possibility exists as the Bulls are on top of the log and the only unbeaten side in the Super 14, with a game in hand. They depart on Tuesday on their four-week overseas tour where they will face games against the Force, Blues, Chiefs and Reds before returning for their final four games in South Africa.

Orlando Stadium recently had a R300 million total rebuild for the Soccer World Cup and this 41 500 seater stadium can now be described as a modern one. It will also host the official FIFA concert to celebrate the start of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The CEO of Stadium Management South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Jacques Grobbelaar said of this possible venture: “Together we are going to make history.”

The Blue Bulls Company will iron out the finer details with regards to tickets, transport and communicate in good time with their suite holders, season ticket holders, supporters, and other relevant parties.

The Bulls further embraced this year’s FIFA World Cup by announcing they will all wear Bafana Bafana jerseys as they undertake their overseas leg of the Super 14, flying to Australia in the jerseys as support for the soccer side.

Vodacom Bulls captain, Victor Matfield confirmed his side’s support to Bafana Bafana.

“Good luck to you. The one thing about us South Africans is our ability to perform when the pressure is at its highest. We all know Bafana will have a great tournament and make us a happy nation with their performances,” Matfield said.

CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, Barend van Graan, added his support.

“The Vodacom Bulls are proud to show our support for the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana. We are honored to be a hosting stadium for the FIFA SWC 2010 and we know the Bafana Bafana team will do our country proud!”



Orlando Stadium