Experienced Mandela Bay Development Agency team ready to deliver a spectacular Springbok test

Below are seven key facts to know ahead of the Bok test this weekend.

1. Bok history impressive at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

The Springboks have played five test matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and remain undefeated on the PE home ground. After their stellar performance against world champions New Zealand, fans can expect a nail-biting final between the Springboks and the Wallabies this Saturday.

2. Economic impact to Nelson Mandela Bay's tourism

All the hotels, guest houses and BnBs are fully occupied. We have it on good authority that airlines are also running out of seats to accommodate the demand for the test match. These two mentioned elements give us a clear indication (even though unquantifiable) of the number of visitors from around the country. We have seen an upsurge in ticket sales (nearing capacity), with over 38 000 tickets sold. We are expecting and preparing for a capacity crowd (42 000).

3. MBDA team at NMB Stadium is fully prepared

Preparations are taking place on all fronts: for fans, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the City.Our passionate team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes planning and preparing the immense logistics needed to offer spectators value for money and an unforgettable event experience, something that we have been doing for the past few years.

To plan for an event of this magnitude, planning begins the minute the previous event ends, with a post-event analysis to identify areas that worked well and the areas that could be improved on. Following this post-event analysis, meetings between the event owner SARU, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium operator, the City and other stakeholders (including SAPS, Traffic, Disaster, etc) take place throughout the year, with an escalation of activity in the last four months leading up to the event. The detailed final implementation and logistics for the event begin in earnest two weeks before the stadium handover to the event organisers.

4. Expectations for the day

There is an entertainment line-up of note, with a fan park and numerous activations as well as prize giveaways planned. The entertainment line-up promises to be nothing short of spectacular and will include some national and local talent.

5. Importance of the test match to Nelson Mandela Bay

Events of this magnitude indicate positive growth for the destination in terms of both brand image and media exposure. The success of the Rugby Championship indicates the capacity for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the City to continue to host the event and others like it, which can only positively impact the local economy and tourism industry.

Although marketing benefits derived from such events cannot be quantified, events of this calibre afford both the stadium and the City exposure for across global media channels.

6. General information for the fans

Patrons must please note that all turnstiles will be active; they must scan their ticket at the correct or designated block.

Reserved seating: Spectators are requested to sit in their assigned seat (as clearly printed on the ticket).

The NMB Stadium is a non-smoking venue. Smoking is only permitted in designated and demarcated areas, which will be clearly marked

When it comes to international games, there is always a huge demand for parking. Traffic will be congested due to road closures and limited routes.

7. Also coming up at NMB Stadium

We strive to always provide a new experience for our fans and are always trying to find ways of ensuring a great combination of variety and value. While the NMB Stadium remains rooted in rugby and soccer, we are seeking to host new adventure and lifestyle events to showcase the stadium's flexibility to host events of any calibre, including: