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Revenge for the Springboks will – we hope – be sweet this Saturday. The traffic in Green Point? Not so much.
After New Zealand handed the Boks a bruising 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park last weekend, the rivalry moves south to DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August, for the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
And Cape Town is set to turn out in numbers – 62 000, a sold-out stadium, to be precise – to cheer on the Bokke.
And with thousands more supporters likely to descend on Green Point, the V&A Waterfront and the CBD to soak up the gees before and after the match, the roads are going to be... interesting.
So, whether you’re heading to the stadium for the game or just into town for the afternoon, it pays – like Rassie – to have a game plan.
Which roads will be closed?
The City of Cape Town has warned motorists to expect heavy traffic, temporary road closures and access restrictions across Green Point and the stadium precinct throughout Saturday.
With no shortage of understatement, “we anticipate significant congestion on our roads on match day,” says Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Here at Time Out, we're calling it 'Rugby's Greatest Traffic Jam'. So how can you avoid it? For starters, leave the car at home if you can.
If you can't, restrictions will be in place from 6am until 10.30pm, affecting the following roads and sections:
- Granger Boulevard, between Green Point Circle and Beach Road Beach Road in Granger Bay
- Fritz Sonnenberg Road, between Granger Boulevard and Beach Road
- Stephan Way, between Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Hamilton’s Rugby Club
- Vlei Road, between Helen Suzman Boulevard and Fritz Sonnenberg Road
- Fort Wynyard Street, between Portswood Road and Granger Bay Boulevard
- Granger Bay Boulevard, between Helen Suzman Boulevard and Beach Road
With so many roads closed, you can also expect that congestion to spill onto surrounding roads in Green Point, Sea Point and the CBD, particularly in the hours before kick-off and immediately after the final whistle.
Our advice? If you don’t really have to drive through Green Point on Saturday, don’t.
Take the free MyCiTi shuttle
If you’re heading to the match, public transport is your best bet.
Free MyCiTi event shuttles will run from five locations: the Civic Centre, Thibault Square, CTICC, UCT and Bellville Velodrome. Services will begin at 11.30am, with buses using a dedicated, coned-off lane to bypass much of the match-day traffic. Score!
After the rugby, the final return shuttle from the stadium will depart at 10.30pm.
If you have time and are able, the FanWalk is an even better option. With thousands of supporters expected to make their way along Somerset Road towards Green Point before kick-off, it’s going to be festive for sure.
Where can I park?
OK, so you have to drive. Whew. Good luck.
Parking immediately around DHL Stadium is extremely limited (almost non-existent), so your best bet is to park in the CBD and take a shuttle or walk to the stadium.
There will be 475 free parking bays at the Civic Centre for ticket holders from 11am, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Access is via Hertzog Boulevard and Civic Road.
Paid parking is also available at the CTICC, Ryk Tulbagh Square, Picbel Parkade, Plein Park, Parkalot on Jack Craig Street and Harbour Arch.
And, don't forget that because it’s Saturday on-street parking in the CBD is free from 1pm, although normal parking restrictions still apply.
If you live in the southern suburbs, an even better option is to use the UCT MyCiti shuttle. Fans using the UCT shuttle can park on Upper Campus, with buses departing from the UCT Shuttle North Stop at Madiba Circle.
What about Uber and e-hailing?
While access for e-hailing will still be tricky given all that traffic – and expect surge pricing to ramp up the cost – Uber and e-hailing services can still operate. But… don’t simply drop a pin outside the stadium and hope for the best.
There is a dedicated e-hailing pick-up and drop-off area at P14 on Green Point Main Road, between York Road and Wigtown Road. Here is a Google Maps link to where that is.
Get there early
Kick-off for the game is at 5.10pm, but the stadium gates will be open from noon. Our advice? Get there early to soak up the vibe.
There are plenty of great places to eat and drink near DHL Cape Town Stadium, and if you get on it pronto you might even be able to book a table.
Grab the shuttle, walk the FanWalk and make a day of it in Green Point. Go Bokke!
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