Everything you need to know about the Springboks vs Argentina match in Mbombela

Useful guide for this weekend's game

Blake Linder

The new park-and-ride system adopted for the Springbok test against Argentina will feature a dual-route set-up in hopes of simplifying the park- and-ride process for test-goers.

There will be limited early-bird parking spots on the soccer fields opposite the stadium from 10:00 until they are full.

You may only take up one parking spot with your vehicle. You may not set up gazebos that occupy another parking space.

Once early-bird parking is full, the stadium precinct will be closed off to members of the public who aren’t VIPs, part of the hospitality staff or members of the media.

VIPs, hospitality staff and members of the media will be required to access the stadium via the Riverside-Mataffin ring road (the P166 to Matsafeni).

The park-and-ride options for the public will be open from 11:30 until 15:00 before the game, and until 21:30 after the game.

There are a total of 11 pick-up points available. This includes eight schools at which parking will cost R100 per vehicle.

You will purchase your ticket for parking at the entrance gate to the school where you choose to park. You do not need to purchase an additional ticket to use the park-and-ride bus, so do not purchase a ‘park-and-ride ticket’ from random sellers.

The other pick-up points that aren’t schools won’t charge for parking. The points have been split up along two routes. There will be separate drop-off points at the stadium, which include the stadium’s main gate as well as the bus terminal on the southern side of the stadium (gate 5).

When you leave the stadium after the match, you need to ensure you get on a bus that is at the same spot where you were dropped off before the match.

That bus will then make a stop at every park-and-ride pick-up point along the route after the match, and all you need to do is ensure you get off at the right spot.

Those using the Riverside Mall point must note that minibuses will be used for transport to and from the stadium.

How to get around...

Important things to remember:

There are a few rather important things you need to keep in mind for your visit to the stadium on Saturday:

The cell signal inside the stadium is not ideal. You’ll need to step outside for a better signal.
You need to pay close attention to your valuables. Look after your belongings and don’t make yourself an easy target for pick-pockets.
You cannot light any open fires in the early-bird parking area or in the stadium precinct. However, gas braais are permitted.
Although there are some cash facilities available, you are urged to be prepared for card facilities.
Make sure you get on a park-and-ride bus after the game at the same point where you arrived before.

Emergency numbers to have on hand:

Mbombela Stadium emergency helpline:

013 757 4623

Mbombela Police Station:

013 759 1008

Private security services:

Hi-Tech on: 013 752 4470

iSecure on: 082 445 9139

Ambulance services:

Provincial on: 10177

ER24 on: 084 124

Emer-G-Med on: 086 100 7911

Hospitals:

Rob Ferreira on: 013 741 6100

Busamed Lowveld Private Hospital on:

013 752 7576

Mediclinic Nelspruit on: 086 117 4448

Mbombela Fire Department on:

013 753 3331

Interesting facts about the stadium

Mbombela Stadium is a fortress for the Springboks as they have won all four of the matches they’ve played at the stadium.

They’ve beaten Scotland, Wales, Argentina and New Zealand in the Lowveld. Here are a few interesting facts about the stadium:

It took 45 000 cubic metres of concrete and 1 450 tonnes of steel to build the stadium.
There are 622 toilets and 408 urinals around the stadium.
94% of the seats are covered by the roof.
Mbombela Stadium boasts the closest seats to the pitch of any 2010 Fifa World Cup stadium.
The upper tier features 20 000 seats,
the middle tier 4 000, and the lower tier
21 000 seats.
The stadium cost R1.05m to construct.
Construction was completed in late 2009 and the stadium was officially opened on October 15 that year.
The construction required a total of
5.5 million man-hours to complete.
The signature feature of the stadium is the 18 roof supports resembling giraffes.

Looming milestones

While Eben Etzebeth will undoubtedly make history this weekend, here are a few more Boks who could reach some point-scoring landmarks in their own careers:

Handré Pollard, who will start on the bench, needs only one point to reach 750 points in a Bok jersey – a feat that only all-time top Bok point scorer Percy Montgomery has achieved.
Cheslin Kolbe, who is in the starting line-up, is only four points away from reaching the 100-point mark for the Springboks.
Manie Libbok, who is starting at fly half, is only six points away from 100 Springbok points.
Jesse Kriel (starting centre) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (starting wing) are both on 85 points for the Boks, so a hat-trick of tries for either would see them reach 100.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (starting flanker) and Kwagga Smith (utility back on the bench) are both only five points off from reaching 50 Springbok points.