South African derbies boost record breaking URC attendance figures
South Africa’s rugby franchises again led the way as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship broke another attendance record this past weekend, with the two local derbies accounting for almost half of the total figure.
The figure of 135 747 – which was topped up by the delayed Hollywoodbets Sharks-Emirates Lions derby in Durban this weekend, took the figure way past the 123 207 which was set last season in round 11.
Considering almost 60 000 of those fans for the one round came from the two South African derbies, it underlines again the success of South African franchises joining the league and not only bolstering the broadcast numbers but also fans in stadiums as well.
The tally could only be completed after the Sharks-Lions game, but stands for the round that was traditionally played before and after Christmas, and almost 20 000 fans flocked to the Durban game to put it over the top.
A masterclass performance by the En4cer 🔥#FearTheFin @vodacom #URC #SHAvLIO pic.twitter.com/CG0TxnBbXp
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 8, 2024
This comes off the back of a record 1.6million total attendance for the 2022/23 Vodacom URC season which also saw the highest-ever crowd for the league’s Grand Final (56,334) while an all-time high of 37.4million watched across the campaign.
Of the first seven games of Round eight, it was the DHL Stormers derby with the Vodacom Bulls that attracted 39 925 to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town that was the biggest crowd figure, followed by the 25 600 that went to Thomond Park to watch Leinster against Munster.
Other games saw Glasgow Warriors sold out their first leg 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh while Zebre Parma recorded their largest crowd for a league game in Parma since 2014.
In addition, Cardiff Rugby put up the sold-out signs for the game against Dragons, a close to capacity crowd took in Connacht’s visit to Ulster and Scarlets had a season-high number of fans in to add their voices to the West Wales derby against Ospreys.
“This is a major positive not only for the Vodacom URC but for the sport of rugby. Our clubs are innovating and collaborating to grow their crowds and attract new fans to rugby and this fantastic achievement speaks to their work throughout the season,” URC chief executive Martin Anayi said in reaction.
“Fans are turning up more often across Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales because of the engaging match-day experiences at our clubs and the competitiveness and jeopardy of the Vodacom URC. I would also give great credit to our broadcast partners who understand how vital kick-off times are in allowing our teams to maximise their attendances and create memorable occasions.
“We’ve seen great drama across the festive season and it’s very encouraging to see the interest in Vodacom URC continue to grow in what is shaping up to be our best season yet.”
After the completion of Round 8… Here’s how the league table stands 📊
ADVERTISEMENTWhere does your team rank? 👀#BKTURC #URC pic.twitter.com/0u5koUpTGl
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 8, 2024
All eyes will now be on the final fixture of R9 which will be played on January 27 where the Vodacom Bulls host the Emirates Lions at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The standing total for that round is 119,414 and a crowd beyond 16,334 would break this latest attendance record yet again.
The South African franchises will now turn their attention to conquering the Champions and Challenge Cup, which has already seen improvements in performances this season. While the Stormers beat defending champions La Rochelle in Cape Town and the Bulls downed Saracens in Pretoria, arguable just as impressive performances have been from the Lions to win in Perpignan and invitation franchise, the Toyota Cheetahs winning against both Zebre and the Sharks in their opening two games of the Challenge Cup.
The Bulls also went close to upsetting Lyon at home and the Stormers were close to a win with a depleted side at Leicester Tigers, showing the South African franchises are learning from their experience in Europe.
This weekend marks two tough games for the Stormers and the Bulls, the latter traveling to Bristol Bears while the Stormers host a Sale Sharks side that is likely to have a lot of South African flavour about it.
Considering the Champions and Challenge Cups are still new to South African audiences, the success can only help lure fans into the stadiums to see some world class action.
In the Challenge Cup the Cheetahs will also break new ground with a reported sold out crowd to watch them face Section Palois (Pau) in Amsterdam this weekend while the Lions have a tough task heading to Montpellier, the latter who are the only side with 10 points from their opening two games.
In the other weekend fixture the Sharks face French side Oyannax in Durban and will be hoping for some better fortunes than they have had in recent weeks.
Round 8 – Attendance by fixture
Ulster v Connacht: 15,365
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh: 7,172
Zebre Parma v Benetton: 4,701
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls: 39,925
Cardiff Rugby v Dragons RFC: 12,000
Scarlets v Ospreys: 11,282
Munster v Leinster: 25,600
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Emirates Lions: 19,703
Total attendance: 135,747
Previous best single round attendances:
123,307 – Round 11 of the 2022/23 season
121,117 – Round 21 of the 2017/18 season
117,448 – Round 10 of the 2022/23 season
Comments on RugbyPass
How did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
2 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
191 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
191 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
191 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
2 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
2 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
2 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
191 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
191 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
191 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
191 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
191 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
191 Go to commentsBen Smith please write up something better than this. The Springboks would have won the world cup if you were 15 men on the field. They would have found a way, they always find a way to beat the All Blacks.
191 Go to comments