Remembering Newlands Rugby
130 years of memories of Newlands Rugby Stadium... THE LAWS:
1. No swearing, sexism, racism or any 'ism' that is prejudicial.
2. No religion or politics.
3.
When commenting, please adhere to the spirit of the game we love - "Ja, die manne was rof in die ou dae, but we played a gentleman's game". No hate speech or bullying.
28/01/2021
Goodbye, Newlands
An unforgettable peformance by Jonah Lomu 25 years ago at Newlands, as told by a fan in the stadium. Lomu passed away five years ago today.
When Bob Skinstad got punched in the change room...
1982-86: the glory years for WP, Currie Cup Champions five years in a row. Here are 5 great Newlands tries from that era...
18/10/2020
A fan's memories, 25 years ago. Pieter du Toit: "Springboks v Wallabies in the opening game of RWC95. Sitting in the old scholars enclosure listening to the crowd chant "Nelson, Nelson...!" Heady days!
Great memories by Robbie Fleck and Gert Smal of Newlands in the '80's - including "smoking in the change room"
Great Newlands tries #2
Geo Aplon
SA vs France, 2010
During the Test he scored 2 tries and was named Man of the Match. Since 2014 he's played for Grenoble and Toyota Verblitz. In May 2020 Jake White signed him for the Bulls.
Famous Newlands victories #2
"The most exciting game I saw in 70 years of rugby" - Paul Dobson. In 1949 the Springboks clawed back from 0-11 against the All Blacks to win the game - courtesy of 5 penalty kicks from Okey Geffin. One of Newlands most memorable games.
A fan's trip to Newlands in 2017 - something we can never do again :(
Famous Newlands victories #1
WP 12 ALL BLACKS 11
It was the first game I attended as Newlands so I remember it vividly. The 1976 All Blacks tour was big news in SA. Coming two years after the British Lions whitewashed the Springboks, local fans desperately craved victory.
It wasn’t going to be easy - the All Blacks hadn’t lost in four years. Their side included stars like centre Grant Barry, world’s best scrumhalf Sid Going, tough flanker Ian Kirkpatrick, wildman prop Billy Bush and legendary winger Bryan Williams.
WP would be their 6th game. Their campaign started well with victories over Border, EP, Proteas and Boland. Next they beat a decent SA Invitation XV, the Springbok B side. Arriving at Newlands, they had no reason to fear WP.
The stadium I walked into was a somewhat dilapidated affair, heaving with 45,000 fans. On the Main Grandstand, the first 20 rows comprised Standing Room. There was no security; alcohol flowed across the terrace obscured by clouds of cigarette smoke. We jostled for position, shoulder to shoulder, the atmosphere surly and dangerous.
A fight broke out nearby; subdued by impatient fans. Then a drunk picked on me for blocking his view. Someone punched him for targeting a kid: I was only 13. It was all testosterone and intimidation, a mirror of the hundred battles fought onfield since 1890.
Now came the roar as the players ran on, WP led by lanky 8 Morne du Plessis. Captain and coach, he sported a broken jaw from three weeks earlier (courtesy Transvaal). His inspirational leadership that day would seal his appointment as Springbok captain later.
In the stands we were oblivious. The All Blacks seemed dominant in a hostile game with frequent penalties awarded to WP. Each time flyhalf Robbie Blair missed the kick. Finally, just before halftime, the AB’s were penalised in front of their posts. Blair hit the upright. Newlands growled as the players turned to the shed, the score 0-3.
The 2nd half saw further misery with two quick AB tries around 50 minutes. On the stands fans got drunker and insults louder, thrown at lineouts before us. Ten minutes before the end WP were down 0-11. Then came a consolation try, winger Bossie Clark scoring from a box kick by Divan Serfontein.
It had been a bad day for WP. In particular, backline Springboks Whipp, Oosthuizen, Pope and Snyman never looked dangerous. It didn’t augur well for the 1st test a week later. Fans began streaming out the stadium.
Then the rugby gods smiled on Newlands, two minutes before the final whistle. The drama happened far from me at the other end. From nowhere Dawie Snyman scooped up a lost ball and swung to Morne. A loping giraffe, he galloped down the sideline, his bobbing head clear above the melee. Then came the pass to Chris Pope who crashed over at the corner flag, making it 10-11.
It all got down to Robbie Blair’s conversion, his 6th kick of the day with 5 misses. An ethereal vacuum sucked the air out of the stadium as he lined up the ball - followed by a tumultuous roar as it cleaved the uprights dead centre.
That roar was the detonation of Newlands, once heard never forgotten. An explosion that shook the grandstand and reverberated off Table Mountain. The roar of the underdog in a famous victory, stolen at the last moment.
What a first game to attend at Newlands! – I was instantly addicted and remained so, returning again and again for 44 more years.
By Steve de Witt
The spirit of a great stadium lies in the fans' hearts. Newlands as we knew it.
Wallaby George Gregan reflects on how tough it was to play at Newlands. Despite starting well, the Wallabies were on the receiving end of the Springboks in the epic Newlands opener to RWC1995.
Great Newlands tries #1
Niel Burger
WP v Northern Transvaal, 1984
The winger played 126 games for WP in the 1980's. A phenomenally powerful finisher, he was unlucky to never play for South Africa.
12/10/2020
Newlands, the grand old dame of rugby stadiums, is the world's second-oldest, pre-dated only by Dublin's Lansdowne Road.
* 1887 WP Cricket buys land for a pitch but refuses to share the it with rugby
* 1888 WP Rugby & Football acquires land from the SA Breweries
* Originally a pine forest, it's proximity to Newlands railway station was key.
* First game: Bishops vs SACS, 1890. Draw 2-2.
* First official game: Villagers vs Stellenbosch. 2,400 spectators, 1890, won by Stellenbosch.
* First Test: South Africa vs Britain Lions, 1891. Score 0-4.
* 1919 First concrete stands erected
* 1927 ground changes from east-west to north-south
* 1931 South Stand constructed
* 1950's New Grandstand and Presidential suite
* 1960's Grandstand improvements on all four sides
* 1970's SA Rugby HQ moves to Newlands
* 1980's North Stand private suites and Danie Craven stand built
* 1990's Technology updated ahead of RWC95
The electricity and excitement at Newlands on a big game day. Springboks vs All Blacks. 2017