Newlands heritage site proposals could kill WP rugby

The delay in the sale of Newlands Stadium brought about by the proposal by a group of former players to turn the venue into a heritage site is having grave consequences for the sustainability of Western Province rugby, according to role players in the current administration at the Cape union.

The recent success of the DHL Stormers under the coaching of John Dobson while working on a very low budget has underlined the massive potential for rugby in the Western Cape region, and has also shown what could be achieved when there is less internecine conflict at the administrative level of the game.

When SARU placed WP under administration in 2021 because of the union’s financial woes, it ushered in a rare period for Cape rugby where the coaches and the players dominated media headlines and not administrators, and the Stormers have flourished as a consequence, winning the inaugural edition of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last season.

However through the period there has been much talk behind the scenes about the progress in trying to attract a suitable equity partner, and the hold on the sale of Newlands because of the proposal to declare it a heritage site, which is to be put forward for public debate in the future, is holding up the process.

Rian Oberholzer, designated as the Administrator of WP by SARU, told a press conference at the DHL Stadium on Thursday that there is a lot at stake.

“To be frank, the sale of Newlands is the key to the sustainability of Western Province Rugby,” said Oberholzer.

“We have consulted with a heritage specialist who is confident that Newlands doesn’t qualify as a heritage site, but the upcoming consultation process will also be pivotal in determining the outcome of the proposal.”

Newlands ceased to be a rugby venue when the home of WP and the Stormers switched to DHL Stadium (Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint) in early 2021, and is no longer certified to stage or host rugby matches.

WP Rugby officially started a new era at the DHL Stadium at the start of the 2021 season, and it was there that captain Steven Kitshoff lifted the URC trophy in front of 31 000 fans (the crowd was still limited to 50 per cent capacity back then because of Covid) after a thrilling final against the Vodacom Bulls in June 2022.

The Stormers have been successful in building the stadium into a fortress, and have not lost there since the Emirates Lions upset them in a URC game in December 2021.

WP Rugby’s General Manager of Amateur Rugby said the WPRFU’s executive council voted and decided that the professional teams would their rugby at DHL Stadium over three years ago.

“All of WP’s processes were followed when it was decided that our professional teams would play their rugby at DHL Stadium,” said Jones.

“Newlands Stadium cannot be used to stage rugby matches again, but its sale remains crucial to the future of WP Rugby and we are hopeful that all stakeholders will do their utmost to ensure that it happens.”