There was a sense of normalcy as spectators returned to the freshly renamed Windhoek Draught Park after a two-year break induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
THERE was a sense of normalcy as spectators returned to the freshly renamed Windhoek Draught Park after a two-year break induced by the Covid-19 pandemic when the Windhoek Draught Griquas took on the Cell C Sharks in a Carling Currie Cup fixture in Kimberley on Wednesday evening.
The Sharks took an early seven-point lead against the hosts and ended eventual 13-6 victors in a tightly contested match.
A larger than usual crowd had pitched up for this midweek Currie Cup encounter between the Natalians and Griquas. At the main stand the usual suspects were seated in their numbers without the now familiar masks, as they shouted, cheered and made all kinds of general remarks about the proceedings on the pitch.
The DFA spoke to some spectators, asking them how they felt about the atmosphere at Windhoek Draught Park.
One spectator, Jimmy Williams, at first thought it was a bad idea to be inside the stadium without a mask but changed his mind when he was told that the government has allowed it saying, “I am happy about the changed mask regulation. It’s actually nice.”
Over on the main stand, Hennie and Rosa Ludick were enjoying the outing. “Dis wonderlik. Maar ek moet sê, waar is die mense? Die advertensies is goed en die veld lyk uitstekend en die prys is mooi.
“Ek weet net nie hoekom die mense nie kom nie. Hoekom kom hulle nie? Ons het dit nodig.”
Sitting nearby, Elridge Crispin had his own thoughts about when the stadium would be buzzing. “Ït is still very quiet here. Lets see what happens when WP plays here,” he said. “Then we will see.”
The DFA also spoke to Ettienne du Plessis who had plans to watch as many live games as possible. “Wonderful, simply wonderful,” he said enthusiastically. “It’s very nice. We want to see lots of rugby man! We want to watch the rugby with all the people. We should not return to the bad days again.”
Unfortunately, for the ‘Kwaste’ faithful the match ended with the local side getting an undesirable result, losing 6-13 to the Sharks.
