Extra buses will be laid on to get spectators to the historic Tri-Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand, with two Park and Rides open.

REA VAYA will run a dedicated service for rugby spectators heading to FNB Stadium, in Nasrec, for Saturday's Tri-Nations showdown between the Springboks and the All Blacks.

The FNB Stadium at night

This crucial clash will begin at 5pm on 21 August. South Africa, the current Tri-Nations champions, will make a desperate attempt to clinch a win, which will allow them to defend their title.

The City's department of transport is anticipating a large crowd and has made provision for Rea Vaya buses to ferry spectators to the stadium. Park and Ride facilities will be available at Wits University's West Campus on Enoch Sontonga Street and at Constitution Hill on Joubert Street, both in Braamfontein.

"In addition to its normal Saturday commuter service, Rea Vaya will be running additional buses on its normal routes for spectators going to the rugby test," says Nthatisi Modingoane, the City's spokesperson.

The special arrangement will not disrupt the daily commuter service, which will run as usual. Additional buses will be made available for the Park and Rides and will drop spectators at Soccer City Station on the Soweto Highway, next to the stadium.

By using Rea Vaya to get to the game, spectators will avoid getting stuck in traffic near the grounds. Both Park and Rides will start operating from 12.30pm and will stop two hours after the end of the match.

BUS RIDE

After parking their vehicles, motorists will be ferried to the stadium in Rea Vaya buses and returned to the car park after the game. It will cost R50 per person to use the service, which includes security guards keeping a watch on the cars. Tickets for the Park and Rides can be bought at Computicket.

Rea Vaya buses take spectators to the stadium’s doorstep

After the game, spectators should catch a Rea Vaya bus at the same station they were dropped off on arrival.

Modingoane urges regular commuters to buy a return ticket for R12 from any station when travelling on the usual service to avoid long queues after the game. "Plan your trip before leaving home or your station of departure [and] ask for information from station staff if uncertain."

He says spectators will be able to ride any bus which travels on the trunk route from Soweto and the CBD when going to the stadium. The last buses to the stadium will leave Thokoza Park and Ellis Park simultaneously at 4.30pm.

"Rea Vaya wants to make sure that it can offer spectators the same world-class service that was operated during the 2010 soccer World Cup," adds Lisa Seftel, the executive director of transportation in the City.

TEST MATCH

Saturday's game will give the Boks an opportunity to reclaim their pride following a streak of losses since the competition began. The match will also help the local team to test their mettle and reinforce their status as the world's rugby champions, considering that they have home-ground advantage.

It is historic in that it will be the first time that a major international rugby match is played at FNB Stadium. The South African Rugby Union is using it to garner more support for the Boks, broaden the reach of rugby and demystify the notion that rugby is an elite sport.

Another milestone will be recorded when Springbok captain John Smit becomes the second South African to play in 100 test matches. Smit will be playing in his 26th Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain, the most capped captain in the tournament.

Saturday's test match will be the 81st between South Africa and New Zealand since 1921 and the 34th Vodacom Tri-Nations test between the two. In the 80 matches the two teams have played so far, New Zealand has won 44 times, drawn three times and lost to the Springboks 33 times.

As part of the home leg of the Tri-Nations tour, the Springboks will also play in Pretoria the following weekend and in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 4 September.

Tickets for Saturday's game are already sold out. For more information about the Park and Ride facilities, telephone Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555.

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