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Cape Town - Blues captain Keven Mealamu believes Newlands will be free of the sort of spectator controversy that characterised their Super Rugby victory over the Bulls at Loftus last weekend.
VIDEO: Keven Mealamu gets hit by a bottle at Loftus Versfeld
The veteran All Black hooker was struck by a bottle thrown by pitch invader Johannes Nel, a 54-year-old boilermaker, at the end of the match and there was an altercation between the two before Nel was pulled away from him.
Friday sees the Blues take on the unbeaten Stormers in a Newlands encounter likely to feature an even bigger crowd than the one on the Highveld, when the visitors won 29-23.
But Mealamu, asked at a media briefing here on Wednesday whether he expected any further “surprise visitors” to the pitch this time, replied confidently : “I can guarantee it won’t happen this weekend,” adding that he considered it an isolated incident.
“We’ve had this sort of thing in New Zealand as well ... I still love the place (South Africa). The incident caught me by surprise; that’s (all).”
Meanwhile Gavin Lewis, WP Rugby general manager (marketing and events), told Sport24 that they had “noted the incident at Loftus, as did our security company and advisors”.
He said: “Safety and security is a priority at Newlands and as with every match staged here, there is a comprehensive plan that is (implemented) on match day.
“We always plan an event from a worst-case scenario; nothing is left to chance.
“While an incident like this serves to highlight possibilities, we are confident that the approved measures in place are adequate.
“Rule 6 of our stadium rules clearly forbids such access to the pitch: ‘In the stadium no unauthorised person is permitted on the playing or performance area’.
“Any person attempting to do so will unfortunately face the full consequences of the law.”
He said they expected another big crowd and advised fans to leave enough time to get to the ground.
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
