The field tore up badly in the opening game of the Test series
Will Cape Town pitch hold up for rest of Lions series?
It was an incredible second half of action as the British & Irish Lions beat the Springboks in the first Test, 22-17. It was tense, riveting stuff. However, while fans and pundits will debate selections and performances until the next squads are finalised for Test two, there was one performance that was universally panned in this match – that of the Cape Town pitch.
I’m not sure that pitch is going to survive the Test series. The scrummaging force was off the scale.
— Alex Lowe (@AlexMLowe) July 24, 2021
Great comeback from the Lions, much tighter discipline second half, but if that Cape Town pitch cuts up much more they’ll be scrumming underground by the end of the next test. #LionsRugby
— Dominik Diamond (@DominikDiamond) July 24, 2021
After days of rain in the region, the field didn’t take long into the contest for it to tear up. Later into the game it was obvious that the pitch was coming up in clumps, raising concerns about scrum time.
The pitch in Cape Town! My word. Scrums will be fun second half.
— James Cole (@Sky_JamesCole) July 24, 2021
Beautiful afternoon here in Cape Town. Clear skies and no wind for the moment. Perfect conditions.
Lot of rain this week though. Hope the pitch remains intact.#LionsSA2021 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/oEDQRGCCvc
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) July 24, 2021
Earlier in the week it was announced that all three Lions Tests to be played in Cape Town in order to reduce the risks posed by Covid-19 elsewhere in the country. The tour was due to return to Gauteng after this weekend’s first Test between the Lions and the Springboks, with the second and third Tests played at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. But it is all in one place from here on in.
I don't like the look of the CapeTown Stadium surface. Since there are no spectators, can't they rather play at Newlands? #LionsTour2021 @Springboks
— Witchy Hezz????? (@HSteel5) July 24, 2021
That playing surface in Cape Town is awful. I know these things don't matter that much in rugby, but it's a dreadful-looking pitch.
— Jonathan O'Brien (@obrien_jonathan) July 24, 2021
Going to be difficult as the pitch at Cape Town stadium is I think made for football and after the rain the past few days going to be difficult to scrum thus no advantage scrum time! Going to be close with a win by SA 3 points ?go Bokke!!
— Rob Louw (@roblouw6) July 24, 2021
When asked about the pitch post-match, Lions coach Warren Gatland said: “That’s the way the pitch is. It is quite slippery. It was a lovely day here and was dry when we arrived but when it gets to six or seven o’clock it does get slippery and dewy.
“It’s not the easiest pitch to scrummage on. It’s like anywhere in southern hemisphere in winter time, nice days but pitches get slippery and dewy in evening.”
Considering how vital the set-piece battles will be in this Test series in the weeks to come – with the feet churning in scrums and mauls over the next 160 minutes – will this field recover in time and manage to hold? It is a concern and some will be worrying about whether yet another change of venue may be needed with the state of the pitch becoming a real issue.
What did you think of the pitch? Let us know at rugbyworldletters@futurenet.com or via social media.
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