Tourism in Cape Town will enjoy a double whammy at the start of the World Cup, with FIFA’s Local Organising Committee and the South African Rugby Union reaching an agreement which will allow the rugby test match between the Springboks and the French team to be played at Newlands on Saturday 12 June, reports the Cape Argus. 

According to the FIFA rules, no other sporting events may take place from 24 May onwards, to ensure that they do not drain any host city’s infrastructure, and its ability to host the World Cup.  As the rugby test match will not be played on a FIFA match day in Cape Town, permission was granted for the test match.

Cape Town can be expected to be invaded by French rugby and soccer fans in June, as the French soccer team plays Uruguay on Friday 11 June, the World Cup starting day, and the French rugby team plays the Springboks on Saturday 12 June.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

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