August 12, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
SHOUTS of 'bokke, bokke' from 50 000 rugby supporters sporting green and gold will reverberate from the Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday when the Amabhokobhoko take on the New Zealanders.
The Springboks must win to remain in the running for the Vodacom Tri-Nations title. They narrowly lost their last two matches against the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
"It was so near but so far in Christchurch, New Zealand, but we have an opportunity to change that at Ellis Park," said Springbok captain, John Smit.
The Springboks and the All Blacks will also be battling it out for the Freedom Cup, which was introduced to mark South Africa's 10 years of democracy. "We aim to do all we can to make it happen and ensure that rugby's contribution to the 10 years of democracy celebration is a successful one," added Smit.
"Ellis Park has great symbolic significance both for democracy in South Africa and Springbok rugby," said president of the South African Rugby Football Union, Brian van Rooyen.
"Also the traditional rivalry between the Boks and the All Blacks is like no other and it is therefore fitting for South African Rugby to dedicate this particular test to the 10 years of democracy celebrations," Van Rooyen said.
Springbok coach Jake White said: "It is fantastic that South Africa and New Zealand rugby have supported the introduction of this very special and symbolic cup to mark what are always great rugby occasions between our two countries."
Tickets for Saturday's match are sold out and fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium early. The gates will open at 11am, with the match kick-off at 3pm.
"We are ready," said marketing manager of Ellis Park, Ricky Meyer. "We have hundreds of security personnel, about 250 South African Police officers, and 128 metropolitan police officers in place."
There are three parking venues some way from the stadium, which include a park and ride system: at Montecasino in Fourways, Wits University in Braamfontein and Bezuidenhout Valley Park. The park and ride facility will cost R30. "We have organised buses and they will leave the parking venues to the stadium at exactly 12pm," Meyer added.
After the match, Dr Victor will set the crowd at the Vodacom entertainment village a-hopping and a-jiving the night away.
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