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Daily Maverick
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Dead robots, dirty Ubers and high hopes — getting to the rugby on time
While Gqeberha is known as the 10-minute city, this will almost certainly not hold true for Saturday's rugby. Getting to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on time might be tricky, to say the least. Getting to the rugby on time to see the Springboks take on Italy on Saturday might be difficult as spectators will have to navigate myriad dead traffic lights, road closures and potentially dodgy e-hailing vehicles. It has been four years since the last Springbok rugby game was hosted at the stadium, so for those who need it, a quick refresher on the rugby rules by Daron Mann can be found here. If you already know all there is to know, read Jon Cardinelli's preview of the clash. Kick-off time Kick-off time is at 5.10pm and the match ends at 7.30pm. Gqeberha-born Belinda Davids will sing the South African national anthem before the starting whistle. Gate times On Thursday, the municipality sent out a notice that several roads around Nelson Mandela Bay would be closed from 9am on Saturday and would reopen only from 11pm. According to information provided by the municipality, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will open its gates at 11am and close at 10pm. Robots None of the traffic lights near the stadium work. We drove from the Settlers Freeway and found that every traffic light between the arterial route and the stadium was out of order. Most traffic lights along Govan Mbeki Avenue were dead and functioned as four-way stops. Nelson Mandela Bay metro spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said that should the traffic lights be fixed on Friday, they would be vandalised by match day. On Thursday morning, contractors could be seen working on power lines along Gqeberha's main street; however, there was no indication whether these lines powered the traffic lights. The nearest functioning traffic lights to the stadium were at the intersection of Mount Road and Govan Mbeki Avenue, 1.5km away. However, the traffic lights on either side of the crossing were not operational. General power supply While the metro is fast becoming known for its power outages, the municipality sent out a statement saying that it had deployed the Rapid Response Task Team after a faulty electrical pole in Sydenham was identified. According to the statement, the pole 'posed a risk to the area's electricity supply'. 'In response, the Electricity and Energy Department acted promptly to repair the fault and restore stable power to the area. Their swift intervention ensured that the much-anticipated Castle Lager Incoming Series test match could proceed without disruption,' the statement said. Road closures Nelson Mandela Bay communications director Sithembiso Soyaya said the following roads would be closed on Saturday from 9am: Prince Alfred Road between Milner Avenue and Quick Street; Milner Avenue between Stebonheath Street and Sydenham Road; and Fettes Road between York Road and Stockelbach Street (stadium side) Traffic officials Forty traffic and metro police personnel will be deployed on the day, including 27 officers on point duty. The Metro Police will deploy 15 officers focused specifically on enforcing municipal by-laws and supporting crime prevention operations. In addition, a municipal tow truck will be on standby to immediately remove any illegally parked vehicles causing obstruction. 'Public safety is our top priority. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for both residents and the thousands of visitors expected in the city. Events like these boost our local economy and reinforce our reputation as a premier sporting destination,' Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said. Tickets No tickets will be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office. Tickets are still available through the Ticketmaster website. By Thursday afternoon, there were 1,000 tickets left. Uber, or other e-hailing services Designated drop-off and pick-up zones for taxis, e-hailing services and buses will be located in North Street between Innes Street and Bagshaw Street, with the New Law Courts parking area serving as the official pick-up and drop-off point for Uber and metered taxis. Concerns have been raised, however, about the state of e-hailing vehicles in Nelson Mandela Bay. In a letter addressed to Uber, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Denise van Huyssteen, wrote: 'We have received numerous complaints from business people who have highlighted that there appears to be no quality control over the standard of Uber operators in Nelson Mandela Bay. 'In particular, it seems that there is no moderation over the quality of Uber vehicles, which are often in a poor state of repair, and not compliant with safety standards (lights not working, lack of seatbelts, dings and damage to vehicle etc). This not only reflects poorly on the image of Uber, but also that of our metro to domestic and international business visitors and tourists. Apart from the influx of rugby fans, Van Huyssteen also highlighted that the Naacam Show would be held in the Bay during the week of 11 August 2025, and SA Automotive Week would follow during the week of 29 September 2025, resulting in significantly increased use of Uber over this period by visitors who would come from around the country, and other parts of the world. She has not received a response. Neither has Daily Maverick. Daily Maverick journalist Nkosazana Ngwadla took a few Ubers from her home to the airport, the stadium and to Summerstrand. This is what she found: Uber 1: If you're going to request an Uber from around the Pinelands area, prepare for a long wait. And when you are finally connected to a driver, he might just ask where you're going before actually making his way to you. 'That's because you people who live in these apartments are too lazy to walk to the mall, now I must drive far just for a trip that is not even R30,' the driver explained. His Renault Kwid was in an acceptable state. Uber 2: When you're at the airport, you'll have many Ubers readily available for you – it's a hot spot, naturally. However, this driver was not very friendly, and his vehicle had dents and a windscreen that looked like it had taken too many of life's hard knocks. His boot, when he finally agreed to open it due to safety concerns, was filled with all kinds of personal belongings, including a 5-litre bottle with yellow liquid inside it. You decide for yourself what that might've been. This experience begs the question: given that he was picking me up from the airport, where would all my luggage go if I had any? Uber 3: Summerstrand is also an Uber hot spot, with an average two minutes' waiting time. This vehicle had a few forgiveable dents. The fuel light was on, but the driver said that it was not an issue – 'it happens all the time'. Uber 4: The final Uber was a pleasure. His driving was fine, the vehicle looked and smelled good, and the driver was very friendly and professional. He even had sweets and hand sanitiser on hand for his customers. Drunken driving and other shenanigans Metro Police Commissioner Andrew Moses said they were looking forward to an exciting weekend. 'We are ready for the engagements. We have been meeting with SA Rugby daily with regard to the safety protocols for the event. We take this event very seriously. We will be doing high preventative patrols outside the perimeter of the stadium. We will be dealing with crowds. We will also check on open fires and the illicit sale of tickets. 'We want our communities to be safe when arriving. If you are driving to the game, make sure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. Don't arrive drunk,' he said. 'Please do not consume alcohol and then leave the stadium. We will be out in full force. 'We do not want to arrest people for drinking and driving – but we will be there … to look after you and make sure you get home safely. We take safety very seriously. Do not do anything that will compromise the enjoyment of the game. Adhere to the by-laws of the city,' he said. DM
Daily Maverick
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Why watch rugby? Beer, bruises and brotherhood
Mud, mayhem and metaphorical Vikings – Daron Mann is back with another tongue-in-cheek instalment of Rugby Skool, unpacking why rugby isn't just a sport, it's a way of life (complete with bruises, beers and bad decisions). With the Springboks set to face Italy in Gqeberha on 12 July, consider this your unofficial prep course in the beautiful chaos of the game. Why watch rugby? It's not just a sport; it's a lifestyle – albeit with mud, mates and a few questionable life choices. Today in Rugby Skool, we're wrapping up our series with why this glorious madness hooks you for life. First, there's the spectacle. Rugby is raw – players smash, sprint and bleed without pads, like superheroes who forgot their capes. A perfectly timed try or a bone-rattling tackle feels like art (if art gave you a black eye!). Then there's the vibe: fans in jerseys, chanting through rain, sharing beers with strangers. It's a cult, but of the generally friendly kind. The players? They're lunatics with hearts. After 80 minutes of carnage, they'll hug opponents, swap shirts and drink together. It's like watching Vikings throw a potluck. Even the ref usually gets a cheer, unless they've had an absolute shocker. And don't sleep on the anthems either – was there ever a more heartwarming call to arms than 45,000 fans at NMB Stadium belting out Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika? Rugby's also a story. Every match has underdogs, comebacks and that one winger who sprints like they stole something. You'll laugh, gasp and maybe cry (especially if your team chokes) at what unfolds before you. So grab a mate, hit a pub and watch. By halftime you'll be yelling about scrums like you were born in a ruck. That's rugby: messy, mad and magical. Keep watching. You're one of us now. Now pass the beer. DM
Daily Maverick
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
The referee rules — how to navigate rugby's labyrinthine laws without losing your mind
It's nearly time for the South Africa versus Italy match, and Nelson Mandela Bay is buzzing with Bok fever. Daron Mann is back with Rugby Skool — a tongue-in-cheek rugby crash course for those who've ever wondered what on earth is going down during a match. Rugby's rules are like quantum physics; nobody fully gets them, but everyone claps when they work. In Rugby Skool today, we're tackling the game's dictator – the referee – as well as his whistle and a rulebook that's thicker than a prop's neck. The ref's job? Quite simply, to keep 30 rampaging players from turning the pitch into a scene from Gladiator. He/she will whistle for knock-ons (dropping the ball) or passing it forward, for offside (standing where you shouldn't), or when someone gets a bit too, er, … 'enthusiastic' in their endeavours. These penalties give the opposition either a kick or a scrum. Sounds straightforward? Ha. Anything but – rugby's laws have more layers than an onion and can lead to just as many tears. Take the ruck, for example: if you don't join correctly (from behind the last line of feet), or let go of the ball quickly enough, the whistle blows. Lineouts? Bump a bloke while he's in the air jumping for the ball and you're toast. Even fans scream 'What the %$@!?!' half the time. Pro tip: when the ref penalises anyone, just nod sagely. In rugby, nobody argues with the whistle, except maybe grizzled flankers and mouthy scrumhalfs, who then get marched back 10 metres for their troubles. The beauty's in the flow – rugby's chaos somehow works, like a bar fight with a conductor. Watch the ref's signals (they're a bit like interpretive dance) and you'll catch on. Next, we'll explore why rugby's worth watching. For now, respect the whistle. It's the only thing keeping the game from being actual anarchy. DM
Daily Maverick
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Player positions: Who's who in the rugby team zoo?
The countdown to the Springboks' return to Gqeberha is on — and the city's pulse is starting to race. As anticipation builds for the Bok showdown against Italy on 12 July, radio veteran Daron Mann is back with Rugby Skool — a tongue-in-cheek rugby crash course for those who've ever wondered 'Who does what, anyway?' Rugby's players are a motley crew, each with a job that's slightly weirder than the last. In Rugby Skool today, we're touring the pitch's zoo, where 15 players per team range from nimble gazelles to human bulldozers. Let's meet the cast. Up front, the props and hooker (front row) are the scrum's meat shields, built like vending machines, with tempers to match. The props push; the hooker hooks (snares the ball with his foot) and also feeds the ball into lineouts. Behind them are the locks — tall, lanky giraffes whose main job is to steal balls at lineouts, and to snarl while doing so. Flankers and the number eight are the back-row hustlers — fast, tough, with unresolved anger issues, always in the ref's face. Those are the forwards. Now to the backs The scrumhalf is the team's hyperactive Jack Russell, yapping incessantly while zipping the ball from scrums and rucks. The flyhalf is the pretty boy maestro, kicking and calling plays while ensuring his hair is date night-ready. Flanks love flattening flyhalves. Then you have the two centers, they crash through defences like rhinos on rollerblades, and wingers sprint like they're late for a bus, chasing glory. The fullback? He's the last-ditch hero, catching kicks and praying he doesn't fumble. Each position is a puzzle piece in rugby's chaotic masterpiece. Watch in wonder as a wing deftly dodges a defender (as well as a visit to Casualty!) or as a prop flattens his prey — it's poetry, but with concussions.
Daily Maverick
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Rugby collisions — making sense of what looks like a brawl
The countdown to the Springboks' return to Gqeberha is on—and the city's already humming. As anticipation builds for the July clash against Italy, radio personality Daron Mann is back with Rugby Skool – a tongue-in-cheek crash course for anyone who's ever asked, 'Wait, what's a ruck?' Welcome back to Rugby Skool, where, today, we're diving into tackles, rucks, and mauls – those dark and murky places where players collide and yet, somehow, still manage to keep on playing. So grab a helmet, and let's get to it. Or, rather, don't. Rugby laughs at helmets. Those are for gridiron players — rugby prefers bruises and bravado. The tackle is simple: if someone's got the ball, you slam them to the ground. Forcefully but legally – that means no neck-grabbing or WWE suplexes. Expect maximum bruising and minimum sympathy. Once down, the tackled player must release the ball, giving rise to a ruck. At this point, players from both sides pile in at top speed, pushing and shoving to secure the ball while the ref yells, 'Use it!' It's chaos, but organised, much like a toddler's birthday party. Then there's the maul, rugby's mobile mosh pit. If a player's tackled but stays upright, teammates and opponents swarm in, creating a standing wrestle-fest. The ball's passed back (always backward, because rugby's quirky like that), and the maul lumbers forward like a drunken conga line. It's teamwork, but with lots of elbows. The uninitiated needn't stress if it all resembles a brawl. This is just rugby's language of love. And just wait for the moment that a ruck gets cleared or a maul trundles over the tryline and scores – it's like the crowd's won the lottery.
