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The sport is played in many schools and probably has the
largest following in the city of Cape Town and the Western
Cape, particularly in the rural areas.
Cape Town has several rugby clubs such as Hamilton’s,
Villagers and Tygerberg but the most supported team is
the provincial team, Western Province.
For about three months of the year the team is known as
the Stormers when they participate in the Super 12 competition
for teams in the Southern Hemisphere.
If you want to catch the excitement of Western Province
rugby, go down to Newlands Rugby stadium to enjoy the
atmosphere of a fully packed stadium shouting their support
with one voice. Afterwards people gather around the stadium
on the grounds of SAB breweries for a ‘braai’ and a beer,
both local and visiting supporters.
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"Unlike football crowds,
people who watch rugby are generally not
violent and confrontational.." |
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Want to play?
Most rugby players start playing the game either at school
or at their local club. In South Africa many schools are
renowned for having produced players that eventually went
on to play for South Africa.
In Cape Town club rugby is organized into several leagues
with promotion and relegation into different divisions.
I’ve you’re a good player, the provincial scouts may take
notice and you’ll be drafted into one of the provincial
teams.
Scouts usually draft players at several school rugby festivals
during the year, like the Craven Week.
The Atmosphere
Western Province supporters are known to be passionate
about their team. The team can usually expect sell-out
crowds at its home games played at Newlands Stadium which
holds 50 000 people. Tickets are usually sold out by match-day,
if you’re lucky you might just get a ticket to the game.
Unlike football crowds, people who watch rugby are generally
not violent and confrontational.
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