In a truly embarrassing state of affairs … infighting between WPRU and the City have seen Saracens cancel their proposed match against Biarritz …
Below the statement issued by Saracens …
“Now that all discussions between various stakeholders have been concluded, Saracens has decided the Heineken Cup match against Biarritz on Saturday January 14th will be played not in Cape Town, but in London.
The innovative English champion club was eager to host the first Heineken Cup match ever played outside Europe, to stage a special, spectacular rugby event and to project brilliant images of Cape Town and European rugby around the world. However, we have no wish to be a catalyst for conflict between the City of Cape Town and the Western Province Rugby Union.
Saracens looks forward to playing a competitive match in Cape Town as soon as local circumstances allow.
Supporters who have bought tickets in South Africa will be fully refunded by Computicket, and Saracens will engage with UK-based supporters who have already booked air tickets and accommodation, and ensure they are appropriately compensated.”
And in further bad news for the boys in Cape Town …
The full home Test schedule was announced by SARU and Newlands got the least exciting home Test of the year:
Castle Incoming Tours
9 June: Springboks vs England – Kings Park, Durban
16 June: Springboks vs England – Coke Park, Johannesburg
23 June: Springboks vs England – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
The Castle Rugby Championships
18 August: Springboks vs Argentina – Newlands, Cape Town
29 September: Springboks vs Australia – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
6 October: Springboks vs New Zealand – FNB Stadium, Soweto
Must be a tough job selling season tickets for 2012 …
They haven’t cancelled the game. They have just moved it away from the bickering at WPRU.
Well done WPRU for screwing that up