The top rugby stadiums in Cape Town are important grounds for game- evidence of South Africa’s position as a top rugby nation. In fact, the country is arguably more a rugby country than it is a football country.
Due to the similarities in field requirements for rugby and football, the common practice around the world is to interchange the use of these arenas. Nevertheless, Cape Town has stadiums that are exclusively for rugby.
These stadiums are important grounds for the development of the sport, and for the thrilling entertainment of those who enjoy the game.
Top 10 Rugby Stadiums In Cape Town
1. Cape Town Stadium
Cape Town Stadium is located at Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa, it is not far from the waterfront. This stadium has a capacity of 58,310. It was built between 2007 and 2009.
It is a multipurpose stadium which is used for Rugby Union, Football, and other uses. It has been used as a venue to host the World Rugby Series and the FIFA World Cup. The stadium has hosted many international friendly matches, for both football and rugby.
Cape Town Stadium is open every weekend for games either in rugby or football. The stadium is used by WP Rugby Union (A Rugby Club), Stormers (A Rugby Club), Cape Town Spurs F.C. (A Football Club), and Cape Town City F.C. (A Football Club).
It is an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape; a place of gathering for those who love sports. It is therefore one of the important monuments to visit; a must see for tourists in the city.
2. Newlands Stadium
Newlands Stadium is the top rugby stadium in Cape Town; it is rugby stadium in the sense because it is used exclusively for rugby events. The stadium stands on hallowed grounds; rugby has been played on this site since the Western Province Rugby and Football Union bought the place in 1888.
Newlands Stadium has been rebuilt and renovated several times, but is has continued to be the most iconic rugby grounds in cape town, and one of the most important in the country. It is a 51,900 capacity stadium, and has a grass surface.
It has hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and is constantly used every weekend for rugby games. The stadium is home to Stormers and Western Province. Occasionally, it has also been used for football games in the past.
3. Athlone Stadium
Athlone Stadium is located at Cross Boulevard, Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa. This is a smaller stadium; it has a capacity of 34,000 people. The stadium was built in 1972, and has been retouched several times since then. The most notable transformation was the upgrading work which it received just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium is used for many purposes including Football, Rugby and Cricket. It recently hosted the World Rugby U20 Championship, and the Western Province U21 team also uses the stadium for its home games. They are not the only users; the stadium is also used by Cape Town Spurs, as well as for smaller teams in the neighborhood.
Athlone Stadium is an important part of the social fabric of the city; it can be considered a truly local stadium, on that must be seen.
4. Boland Stadium
Boland Stadium is located in Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa. This is one of the smaller stadiums in the city area; it has a capacity of 11,000 people. Nevertheless, it is one of the top rugby stadiums in Cape Town because it is a proper rugby stadium- existing solely for the game.
Boland Stadium is an urban stadium; it is located in a well-developed urban area, with its gate looking like an industrial facility.
That facility gets a happy crowd every weekend; the stadium is in constant use for Rugby Union games. Boland Stadium is the home ground of Boland Cavaliers, and it is also used for other important rugby matches.
5. Boland Park
Boland Park is a huge stadium in Paarl, which is culturally and economically part of Cape Town. The stadium is one of the smaller ones; it is a 10,000 capacity stadium. It was established in 1996, and despite its small stature, it is a very important stadium.
This stadium is often used for Rugby Union games, although its primary use is for cricket matches. Boland Park is quite a beautiful stadium; its beauty is further enhanced by the serene environment in which it is built.
It is almost surrounded by mountains and trees, and blends into surrounding environment quite flawlessly. Due to the stadium being used for multiple sports, it is always very busy.
6. Danie Craven Stadium
Danie Craven Stadium is located in Stellenbosch; it is part of Stellenbosch University’s sports facilities. Danie Craven Stadium is named after Danie Craven; he was an academic, administrator, and a sportsman.
This is an important rugby stadium; it is more involved with the developmental aspect of the game. The stadium has been used for games of the Stellenbosch University team since it was built in 1979.
It is a 16,000 capacity stadium; which makes it a serious rugby ground; even bigger than many of the stadiums previously highlighted.
7. Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Isaac Wolfson Stadium is located in KwaZakele, Ibhayi just outside Port Elizabeth in South Africa. This is also a small stadium; but it is central to the youth development side of Cape Town sports. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people, and it is an important Rugby stadium.
It is used to hold games of the Eastern Province Elephants and Southern Kings in the Rugby Union, although each team only holds their games there occasionally. The stadium also occasionally holds games of Chippa United; which plays in the South African Premier Soccer League.
All these irregular games put together make Isaac Wolfson Stadium quite a regularly busy place; always bustling with activity every weekend. Furthermore, the regular features of the stadium are games of Zwide United (Football), PE Villagers (Football), and St. Cyprian and Sunday Stars amateur rugby clubs.
8. Faure Street Stadium
Faure Street Stadium is a small stadium in the rurals; it is located at 1 Faure St, Esterville, Paarl, 7646, South Africa. Paarl is socially, culturally, and economically part of Cape Town; therefore this is one of the city’s important stadiums. Its importance is not due to its size; this is not one of the bigger stadiums in the city.
Its importance is because it contributes greatly to the city’s youth development; several youth teams train and play at the arena. The stadium is used by both rugby and football teams, and even hosts athletics events, and even artistic performances.
9. Sisa Dukashe Stadium
Sisa Dukashe Stadium is located at Mdantsane, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Capacity. This is not quite a big stadium, although it is also not a small on either. The stadium has a capacity of 17,000.
Sisa Dukashe Stadium is mostly used for rugby and football matches, although it is occasionally also used for athletics events, and for other activities.
This is an important stadium; it is regularly used by Chippa United which plays in the South African Premier Soccer League, and continental championships as well. The stadium sees top flight action regularly, and is usually filled to capacity.
10. Outeniqua Park
Outeniqua Park is located in George, which is the second largest city in Western Cape, not more than 5 hours from Cape Town. This location is on top of a plateau; it is quite an interesting place to put a stadium because of the height advantage given to the home team.
The stadium is designated as a multipurpose stadium; but it is mostly a rugby stadium. Most of the games here are rugby union matches; and as far as rugby is concerned this stadium has an enviable position.
This stadium hosted the South African leg of the IRB Sevens World Series from 2001 through 2010. Presently, the stadium hosts the games of the SWD Eagles rugby team who compete in the Currie Cup. This is a 7,500 capacity stadium.
Related:
Closing
The top rugby stadiums in Cape Town are important grounds; part of the sporting and social fabrics of the city. The city is attracting investments in the area of bigger, more commanding stadiums; showing that rugby, and sports in general is thriving in the city.