A star-studded array of national captains as well as the entire Springbok squad will attend the official opening of The Springbok Experience at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town two weeks today (September 24), the South African Rugby Union confirmed on Tuesday.
Coach Heyneke Meyer, captain Jean de Villiers, players and management will be joined by captains representing all rugby’s traditions as well as other VIPs to open the state-of-the-art rugby museum.
“The opening of The Springbok Experience is arguably the biggest thing to happen to South African rugby off the field in many years,” said, Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.
“We are putting a world-class visitor attraction, celebrating the rich but complex history of South African rugby and the Springboks, into the middle of one of Africa’s most visited tourist destinations.
“It’s a bricks and mortar billboard promoting the passion and excitement of the Springboks and rugby.”
The two-storey Springbok Experience is predicted to become a major new visitor attraction.
The museum section includes audio visual exhibits as well as historic rugby artefacts and compelling graphics on the first floor of the stand-alone building. An interactive ‘Springbok Trials’ zone, which tests rugby skills, as well as a flagship Springbok Retail Store are located on the ground floor.
SARU chose 24 September to open the new facility as the perfect occasion. It is not only Heritage Day, celebrating South Africa’s cultural wealth, but it is also Test match week in Cape Town, with the Springboks taking on the Wallabies at Newlands on 28 September.
The Springboks will arrive at 10h00 at The Springbok Experience on Heritage Day – also known as National Braai Day – to perform the opening.
Jan Braai will be in action on the lawn in front of Portswood House – in which the Experience is located – while former national captains, such as Norman Mbiko, Corné Krige and Dougie Dyers, will be present for the official opening ceremony. – SARU