Local and international sports fanatics came out in their numbers to support their favourite teams during the Springboks vs Ireland game held at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on 13 July.


DURBAN is thrilled to have hosted the exciting rugby match between South Africa and Ireland at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on 13 July. The match, which ended with a nail-biting score of 24-25 in favour of Ireland, showcased the best of international rugby and highlighted Durban’s capabilities as a world-class sporting destination. The match did not only bring excitement to rugby fans but has also had a significant socio-economic impact on the City.

The match drew in a large number of visitors from both national and international markets, contributing to the local economy and showcasing Durban as a major sporting destination and a must-visit destination. The game attracted a crowd of about 52 000 with a breakdown of 2 080 foreign visitors, 11 440 domestic overnight visitors and a total of 38 480 day visitors, including eThekwini residents.

EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni said: “Hosting the game will have a direct spend of R125 million and Gross Domestic Product contribution of R309 million with 559 jobs created in eThekwini. Hosting such sporting events brings a much-needed boost to the local tourism sector and the economy in general. The accommodation occupancy was projected at 72 percent which further boosted the accommodation and tourism sectors following a successful weekend of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.” Prior to the match and during half time, there were various activations taking place on the King’s Park Outer Fields and inside the stadium courtesy of Durban Tourism. 

These included Zulu dancers, rickshaw pullers and other tourism products on display to showcase to visitors what Durban has to offer. Leading up to the game, the City’s Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit’s teams conducted a massive pre-match clean-up operation around the City and the stadium precinct.