Southern Kings Super Rugby Stadium

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48 000 seater stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The five-tier, R2 billion (approximately US$270million) Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city. It is one of three coastal stadiums built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The original plan was for it to regularly host large scale football and rugby matches.

The stadium has also been used as a concert venue.

On the 16th of June 2009, (Youth Day in South Africa) the stadium played host to a British and Irish Lions tour match. The game was between the Lions and the newly launched Southern Kings. The game was attended by over 35 000 fans.

On the 19th of September 2009, the Eastern Province Mighty Elephants played their first ever Currie Cup First Division game at the stadium. They beat the Falcons 44 – 8. In addition, the province’s U19 and U21 teams played each other in curtain raisers to the main match.

On the 23th of January 2010, the stadium hosted a Super 14 warm up match. The Cheetahs played an Eastern Province invitational team Eastern Province invitational team. In front of a crowd of 15 000, EP lost 13 – 9 to the Cheetahs. A curtain raiser was played between 2 Port Elizabeth rugby clubs, Police and Progress.

On 26 February 2010, Eastern Province played the Pampas XV (an Argentine team), in the first round of the 2010 Vodacom Cup. The game ended in a 27 all draw, in front of a crowd of approximately 8 700.