Rain or no rain, rugby fever is set to grip Cape Town this Saturday, 28 June, when the Springboks take on the Barbarians at the DHL Stadium in the Qatar Airways Cup.
It's the first time the famous British-based invitational side will tour South Africa, and the first of two home games for the Boks in the Mother City this year. It also kicks off the Springboks' five-month international season, which will also include the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and the end-of-year tour of Europe.
All of which means big crowds, plenty of traffic and the chance to be clever about how you get to the stadium for the game (or avoid the crush if you're not).
With a huge crowd expected to flood towards Green Point, the City of Cape Town has rolled out a match-day game plan to manage traffic, boost public transport and keep the traffic moving smoothly. Well, sort of.
"We are anticipating more than 40,000 spectators for this game, which will affect traffic on match day. To reduce congestion and help fans get to the stadium on time, we've worked closely with the event organizer to provide alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles," said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. "We strongly encourage all spectators to make use of the park-and-ride system, which is a convenient and reliable way to avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey to the venue. The shuttle, with its dedicated lane to the stadium, will ensure that you beat the traffic and get to the stadium smoothly."
Or, put another way? Don't be that guy who drives by themselves in a car and then looks for parking close to the stadium.
Here's how to avoid the gridlock when heading to DHL Cape Town Stadium:
Free MyCiTi shuttles
Ticket holders can catch free rides from Century City, CTICC, Thibault Square, and Civic Center from 12:00. Return shuttles will run until 21:30.
Park & Ride options:
- Civic Centre: Free parking from 11.30am (entry via Hertzog Blvd and Civic Rd).
- Century City (Steelbridge E-Parking): Limited free bays; access via Century Blvd. Paid mall parking also available.
- CBD on-street parking: Free after 1pm.
- Nearby paid lots: Jack Craig Street and Harbor Arch.
E-hailing zone:
A dedicated pick-up/drop-off area is at P13 on Green Point Main Rd, between York and Wigtown Roads.
Road closures:
Expect full or partial closures from 6am to 10.30pm along:
- Fritz Sonnenberg Rd
- Stephan Way
- Vlei Rd
- Fort Wynyard St
- Granger Bay Blvd
The City has not confirmed if the Fan Walk along Somerset Road will be in place, so keep your eyes open if you're walking to the stadium. Gates open at 12pm for a 5.10pm kick-off. Plan ahead, catch a shuttle and make the most of a memorable day for Cape Town rugby.
Want to get out of town? Why not go snow-hunting?