Tickets are selling fast for the international test match between the Springboks and Wales at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday (09/07).

The Boks are coming to the City of Roses tails up following a narrow 32 – 29 victory in Pretoria.

The host, the Free State Cheetahs, are delighted that sports venues can accept full capacity attendence again after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. This stadium can seat a crowd of 46 000.

Ross van Reenen, chief executive officer of the Free State Cheetahs, has urged sports enthusiasts to throw their full weight behind the test match to increase the city’s chance of hosting of future international matches.

It has been more than four years since the last test match was played here, between the Springboks and England on 16 June 2018.

Before this past weekend, the Springboks and Wales last met on 6 November 2021 in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, a test which the Boks won by 23 – 18.

“Although tickets have been selling fast since the lifting of the restrictions, a significant number of tickets are still available. Nothing will give us more satisfaction than to see a capacity crowd in the Toyota Stadium. After two lean years caused by the turmoil and restrictions created by the Covid-19 pandemic, we need the revenue,” says Van Reenen.

“Just imagine the atmosphere and the thrill of 46 000 spectators spurring on their respective teams in a test which can either level or put the seal on the series. It is going to be a thriller.”

SA Rugby has in the meantime cautioned supporters against fraudulent websites such as Viagogo, which have been unlawfully selling tickets at exorbitant prices.

“Not only is this fraudulent activity hampering the economic status of the SA Rugby fraternity, which is still trying to recover from the recent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there is further concern for the swindling of unsuspecting lovers of the game of rugby,” SA Rugby stated.

The Free State Cheetahs point out that a PDF printout of the electronic version of match tickets will be required at the gates. Spectators must download their tickets or purchase and collect them from retail outlets before match day, as ticket collections cannot be done on the day.

The match is set to kick off at 17:00. The gates will open at 12:00 for live entertainment performances by various artists. The line-up include performers such as Ricus Nel, Bernice West, Francois Bouwer, Franja du Plessis and Zak Steyn. They will be performing from 13:00 at the Castle Deck and the Castle Gig Rig behind the main stand.

Supporters can feast on a variety of food from the food trucks at the Castle Entertainment area behind the main stand and Castle Deck.

• Tickets, the price of which varies from R150 to R750, can be purchased at the stadium’s ticket office (the entrance from Kingsway) and at gates 6 and 8 on Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 18:00.

It can also be purchased online at any Spar shop or on ticketpro.co.za.