Ticket prices unchanged for SA Sevens

With the HSBC Sevens World Series set to kick off on the Gold Coast in just 48 hours, Rugby fans in South Africa have also been told to ready themselves for the country's biggest annual sporting party in Port Elizabeth in December.

Australia's Gold Coast Sevens will once again provide the first outing for the players, on 13-14 October. The athletes then have a month to recover and gear up for round two in Dubai, before the Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens.

The South African Rugby Union has kept ticket prices unchanged from last year for the popular tournament, making the announcement on Thursday at the official launch at Humewood Bridge in Port Elizabeth.

The unchanged ticket prices mean rugby fans will be able to watch a full day of thrilling international Sevens action from as little as R80 at the magnificent Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 8-9 December 2012.

From Thursday, rugby fans anywhere in the world can buy tickets online  at www.computicket.com, or from any Computicket outlet.

“The teams and supporters rated last year’s inaugural tournament in Port Elizabeth as a top-class sporting experience,” said Andy Marinos, the SARU GM for Commercial and Marketing.

“We were delighted to attract over 40,000 spectators last year when we hosted the event for the first time in Port Elizabeth. This year we have switched to a weekend format for the first time and we are confident that an even bigger crowd will come and watch the Sevens action.

“SARU have lined up a top-class entertainment programme for our supporters and we believe that, with the new elements we have managed to add to this year’s programme, we will soon establish the Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens as one of the stand-out tournaments of the World Series.

“This year we will have the Party Stand on the Lower South Tier, so we expect that area to be jam-packed with bright coloured, fancy dressed fans. On the Saturday evening supporters will be able to watch a free music concert featuring musical acts by the outstanding DJ Reddy D, The Graham Watkins Project as well as Good Luck bands. This will be exclusively for Saturday match-ticket holders,” explained Marinos.

Another interesting addition to the exciting entertainment programme is the inaugural PE Tens, which kicks off on Friday 7 December on the outside fields of the stadium. Organised by former Springboks Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck, the PE Tens hope to follow in the footsteps of the famous Cape Town Tens, which every year attracts hundreds of social rugby players and are watched by thousands of party-going spectators.

Rugby supporters can buy tickets online via Computicket at www.computicket.com or nationwide at kiosk counters in Shoprite and Checkers outlets. Fans can also contact Computicket on 0861 915 8000 for more information