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Cape Town - The Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) has promised to improve security at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after a fight between fans erupted in the stadium during the Super Rugby match between the Kings and Sharks on Saturday.
This comes after a video emerged on social media sites on Tuesday, depicting fans involved in a brawl while the match was in progress. The minute-and-a-half long video clip shows fans violently exchange punches with no security guard or policeman in sight.
EPRU interim CEO Charl Crous said on Tuesday they are working closely with stadium management company, Access Management, to address the issue.
VIDEO: S15 fan fight!
"Following the incident on Saturday night we, together with Access Management, will be adopting a zero tolerance stance," Crous told the Rugby15.co.za website.
"We will also be lobbying police to assist with regards to more visible policing, and will be assisting Access Management with other initiatives such as education campaigns around encouraging people to sit in their reserved seats."
Crous said the union strongly condemns the behaviour and called on spectators to behave themselves in a respectable manner when attending a game.
"We want a day at the rugby to be a pleasant experience for everyone.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to say that it is unfortunately only a small minority of people who are responsible, and thank the majority for their ongoing support."
The Kings, who lost the game 21-12 to the Sharks, this week host the defending champion Chiefs on Friday night (19:10 kick-off).
Teams:
Kings:
15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Steven Sykes 4 Darron Nell (captain), 3 Kevin Buys , 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Daniel Adongo, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Chiefs:
TBA
This comes after a video emerged on social media sites on Tuesday, depicting fans involved in a brawl while the match was in progress. The minute-and-a-half long video clip shows fans violently exchange punches with no security guard or policeman in sight.
EPRU interim CEO Charl Crous said on Tuesday they are working closely with stadium management company, Access Management, to address the issue.
VIDEO: S15 fan fight!
"Following the incident on Saturday night we, together with Access Management, will be adopting a zero tolerance stance," Crous told the Rugby15.co.za website.
"We will also be lobbying police to assist with regards to more visible policing, and will be assisting Access Management with other initiatives such as education campaigns around encouraging people to sit in their reserved seats."
Crous said the union strongly condemns the behaviour and called on spectators to behave themselves in a respectable manner when attending a game.
"We want a day at the rugby to be a pleasant experience for everyone.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to say that it is unfortunately only a small minority of people who are responsible, and thank the majority for their ongoing support."
The Kings, who lost the game 21-12 to the Sharks, this week host the defending champion Chiefs on Friday night (19:10 kick-off).
Teams:
Kings:
15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Steven Sykes 4 Darron Nell (captain), 3 Kevin Buys , 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Daniel Adongo, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Chiefs:
TBA
