Welsh rugby bosses aim to reach a new record attendance for a summer match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, when Wales face reigning world champions South Africa in the Principality Building Society Summer Test (kick-off 2.30pm).
All talk in the build up to the game has been of memories of the same fixture on 26 June 1999, the first game to be played at the Millennium Stadium and the only time Wales have beaten the Springboks.
Fans will be able to make use of the ‘free-entry-no-ticket-required’ official WRU supporter’s village, adjacent to the Cardiff Arms Cafe and Shop at No8 Westgate Street, but it’s a fixture on 28 August 1999 which is focusing WRU chief executive Roger Lewis’ mind.
Wales beat France 34-23 in only the third match in the short history of the Millennium Stadium – the game was game 8 of Graham Henry’s 10-match winning run at the helm and 62,500 fans were there as their appetites were whet for the Rugby World Cup which followed in October.
“We have had some wonderful games in the summer months in Cardiff, traditionally in the lead up to Rugby World Cups and of course the 1999 win over South Africa stands out, but we were at part capacity then and only 27,000 fans bore witness to history being made,” said Lewis.
“But we will have more than twice as many watching on Saturday and are homing in on that magic 60,000 figure now, with almost 57,000 fans having already bought into the idea of a sizzling summer afternoon’s international rugby in Cardiff.
“If we could beat the crowd figure for that impressive win over the French in the August of 1999 we would really know the fans appreciate what we are trying to do by inviting the world champions to Cardiff this summer – and that they are backing Warren Gatland’s mission to test his Wales side against the very best teams in world rugby in the build up to the 2011 World Cup.”
Wales’ record in summer fixtures (June – August) at the Millennium Stadium shows five wins – three in ’99 over South Africa, Canada and France, one in ’03 over Scotland and one in ’07 over Argentina – and just two losses, to England in ’03 and France in ’07, and only France in ’03 was attended by more fans than have already bought tickets this weekend, so the signs are good for success both on and off the pitch on Saturday.
“We’ve got two days left of sales and a good walk up crowd should tip the balance for us to break the record,” added Lewis.
“But whether we do so or not the fixture should prove a wonderful day out for everyone who makes it to Cardiff and as a way of entering into the party spirit, we are welcoming up to 1,000 people into our supporter’s village completely free of charge, where they can watch the game.
“They don’t even have to buy a ticket to the game, although we must emphasise that tickets will be available right up to kick-off so we think the temptation will be too great for any rugby fan in Cardiff on Saturday. There really will be only one place to be by 2.30pm when that first ball is kicked.
“We are hoping for another historic day and I know Warren and his players are looking forward to ending the season at home on a high and boarding that plane for a tough trip to New Zealand with the sounds of a bumper Millennium Stadium crowd ringing in their ears.”
Up to 1,000 fans have the chance to make use of the Supporter’s village from 12 noon, followed by full coverage of Gatland’s men in action as they attempt to repeat the historic feat of 1999 from 2.30pm.
Entry is free and on a first come, first served basis with a full bar and other catering available and, importantly, although they will be available for purchase, a match ticket is not required.
Tickets to watch Wales attempt to beat the world champion Springboks for only the second time in history are priced from £20 per person for a family ticket and singles at £25, £40, £50, or £65.
They can be purchased from www.wru.co.uk, from the WRU Hotline: 08442 777 888 and at the Cardiff Arms Shop and Cafe Bar at No8 Westgate Street and Ticketline, now and right up to kick-off. Fans are advised not to leave purchases to the last minute to avoid disappointment as a large walk-up crowd is expected.
The supporter’s village will open at 12noon with entertainment provided before a live showing of the match itself. A pint of beer will be £3.50 and access to the village is completely free so no money need change hands and it will close at 6pm.
WALES’ SUMMER (JUNE – AUGUST) FIXTURES AT MILLENNIUM STADIUM TO DATE:
26/6/99 Wales 29 South Africa 19, attendance 27,000
21/8/99 Wales 33 Canada 19, attendance 50,000
28/8/99 Wales 34 France 23, attendance 62,500
23/8/03 Wales 9 England 43, attendance 47,500
30/08/03 Wales 23 Scotland 9, attendance 24,740
18/8/07 Wales 27 Argentina 20, attendance 36,736
26/8/07 Wales 7 France 34, attendance 49,655
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