Cape Town City against AmaZulu going ahead

The threat of high-speed winds at the Cape Town Stadium led to plans for a postponement of Sunday’s DStv Premiership clash between Cape Town City and AmaZulu, as the city braced itself for a major storm surge, but the clash is now due to go ahead at 3pm.

Match commissioner Enock Molefe at 1.45pm, after consulting the referees, and after both teams had arrived at the venue, said the match would proceed.

Earlier on Sunday, local disaster management officials expressed safety concerns with wind speeds of more than 120km per hour forecast, making it difficult to play and posing a risk to life and limb.

Some advertising boards have already been removed and television cameramen taken down from the positions high in the grandstand to avoid any danger while spectators were also stopped from coming into the stadium.

“In line with what we have been advised by the disaster management in the morning, we already decided not to allow spectators. This was also the case with the television crew and the instability of the advertising boards,” said Molefe.

High winds played havoc with Saturday’s league clash between Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United, but it was completed despite the tough conditions.

There was also difficulty with the wind at the Cape Town Stadium for Saturday’s rugby clash between the Stormers and French club La Rochelle.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAMS ON HIGH ALERT

Disaster management teams in the Western Cape are on high alert after the South African Weather Service’s forecast for severe weather conditions from Sunday.

The potent cut-off low system brings with it the threat of a black southeasterly wind, disruptive rainfall, high waves capable of causing damage, and the likelihood of very cold, wet, and windy conditions.

The weather service also issued a warning for gale-force winds and heavy rain in large parts of the Western Cape.

SAWS said gale-force winds were expected in Cape Town, the Overberg and the Cape Winelands, including floods in some parts of the province, that may lead to structural damage.

It raises questions about whether Tuesday’s clash between Cape Town Spurs and Mamelodi Sundowns might still go ahead. That game is scheduled for the Athlone Stadium.