Derby day at DHL Stadium goes beyond 80 minutes

Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby at DHL Stadium isn’t just a rugby match. It’s a full day out for Cape Town – and the DHL Stormers want every fan through the gates to feel it from the first step onto the concourse to the final whistle and beyond.

“Beyond 80 minutes” is exactly what it sounds like: everything that happens around the 80 minutes of rugby. It’s the city’s culture, food and music brought into the stadium precinct; it’s the build-up before kick-off and the moments after the final whistle. It’s a reminder that a match day at DHL Stadium is now a full-blown occasion, with more on offer than in previous seasons – not just 80 minutes of rugby, but a day fans will remember long after they’ve gone home.

The Vodacom URC derby between the Stormers and the Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 4pm) promises to be a huge occasion for the city of Cape Town, beyond the world-class rugby on offer.

The Stormers will run out in their new black away kit – a throwback to the iconic 1999 Men in Black campaign – and both sides will be stacked with Springboks for the first match day of the 26/27 season at DHL Stadium. Expect fireworks on the field from the opening whistle.

The stadium itself will be transformed on Saturday, with plenty of live entertainment happening from the moment the gates open at 1pm.

Once you’re in, the stadium becomes a celebration of Cape Town, its people and its culture – food trucks, bars, kids’ activities, activations and performances from some of the city’s most exciting local talent, all before a ball is even kicked.

Expect the sounds of Khayelitsha, the Bo-Kaap and communities across Cape Town – from marimba and choir to the unmistakable energy of the Cape Minstrels – with performances from Ikamva Marimba Band, Isibane se Afrika and 7 Steps Minstrels.

There’s a pre-match player signing session with Stormers players outside the merch store near Block 117 from 2.15pm to 3pm, so fans can meet their heroes up close. The Vodacom URC derby between the 10bets Lions and the Vodacom Bulls will also be screened live on the big screens in the build-up to kick-off, keeping fans plugged into all the action.

Red Bull will stage a special act just before kick-off – so get to your seat early, because this is a show of epic proportions you won’t want to miss.

Throughout the match, keep an eye out for the fan cameras panning the crowd – getting caught on the big screen could be your ticket to winning some great prizes on the day, so bring your best energy and be ready for your moment in the spotlight.

It pays to arrive early, too. Scan into the stadium on the Stormers App before 2pm and you’re automatically entered into a draw to win beer for a year, or R5 000 in cash from Castle Lager.

And the occasion doesn’t end at the final whistle. The Stormers squad will stay out on the pitch for 30 minutes afterwards, meeting fans and creating memories that will last long beyond match day.

This is what Beyond 80 minutes means: come for the rugby, stay for everything else Cape Town does best.

Tickets from R90 at stormers.co.za.