RSA pre-Super Rugby Friendlies

[Ulrich]

Starting with a bang on this side of the pond with over 50 000 tickets sold for Sunday's double-header at Newlands (Sharks v Lions and Stormers v Bulls)

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/capacity-crowd-expected-at-cape-town-stadium-20190131

These rugby fixtures are more than unprecedented in a local rugby context because the unique partnership with Marvel puts South African rugby in esteemed company.

Marvel has previously partnered with other sport codes, but this is the first such arrangement with rugby union in Africa, with the Stormers (Thor), Lions (Spider-Man), Sharks (Black Panther) and Bulls (Captain America) having adopted several of the entertainment giant’s most popular franchises for their theming during the Super Rugby season.

They will wear the epic jerseys during Sunday's special double header event, and thereafter exclusively in most SA derbies. This collaboration echoes previous Marvel partnerships, with the recent Australian Open and the National Rugby League where fans arrived daily dressed in the gear of popular Marvel characters to support their favourites.

 

[southsider]

Bit excessive doing it every time there’s a SA derby

 

[Ulrich]

The Bulls won their first pre-season friendly 21-17 against the Lions - both teams using quite a few fringe players.

 

[Ulrich]

Friendly results from the weekend:

Stormers 33 - 28 Bulls
Lions 19 - 14 Sharks

Second game effectively at a neutral venue with the event staged at the Cape Town Stadium.

Lions look to have regressed, unsurprisingly, whilst the Stormers and Bulls still look like they don't know how to defend.

I think the challenge from the SA conference will be particularly poor this year.

 

[Ulrich]

The atmosphere at the Stadium on Sunday

 

[dru]

Jezus, that crowd for trials?!?

Whoever put this on needs to be signed up big time to drive franchise crowds. Just wow.

 

[PaarlBok]

The day was a huge success.

From the matches I thought the Bulls look the best. (Score counts for nothing in warm ups). Their scrums , line outs and phase play was very good. The Stormers defense also was great in the second half. Their line outs was a mess but then no Springbok played.

The Lions Sharks match had a lot of mistakes but then it was their first outing.