The Vodacom Bulls have called on their fans to help them try and achieve something they haven’t been able to do for the past two years when they host the DHL Stormers in another epic north versus south clash between these two historic teams in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 18 February.
With the rugby history between these teams dating back to the earliest years of the domestic Currie Cup competition and now into the new era of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the north versus south battle is often described as South African rugby’s greatest rivalry.
The demand for tickets for this match has already reached such a level that Loftus Versfeld officials are hoping they will be able to open the upper section of the East Stand for the first time since 2020 to accommodate the influx of fans.
To be able to do this, though, they would need to sell over 30 000 tickets, which the union is hoping will be possible considering the already strong sales for the game. Tickets are still available online at www.ticketpros.co.za
This is a match that certainly has a number of tantalising storylines to it.
The DHL Stormers currently have the edge over their Pretoria opponents. The two have met four times in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with the DHL Stormers winning on all four occasions, including in the inaugural final of the competition.
But the stage is set for a memorable meeting in Pretoria.
This will be the first match back for head coach Jake White following his surgery and recovery.
The Vodacom Bulls have also literally taken to the streets to call on their fans to support this longstanding rivalry and have sent out ticket ambassadors to the major shopping centres throughout Pretoria to help canvass support and encourage fans to attend.
The city’s community rugby clubs – from Mamelodi to Atteridgeville – have also been allocated tickets to bring along their supporters. An entire section in the stadium has been allocated purely for the students of Pretoria to come and show their support and rally around a specially constructed entertainment deck in the stands.
Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Brits will be on-site on match day hosting an exclusive Vodacom RED Suite Experience for the lucky winners who qualify for this prize.
And at halftime there will be a Kick for Cash where one lucky fan will be given the chance to kick a rugby ball into the back of an Isuzu bakkie – and for it to remain there and not bounce out – and win R10 000.
It’s an all-out drive for one of the fiercest club rivalries in world rugby, and with the festivities set to continue after the match with an After Party including a Loftus Market, DJs and a kid’s entertainment area on the outside fields.
Photo by Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix
