Get your Varsity Cup rugby fix at Potch fan parks
The thousands of rugby fans who missed out on tickets for the Varsity Cup final on 17 April 2023, do not have to miss out on the action. Students can watch the North-West University Eagles take on Ikeys (the University of Cape Town) on big screens at seven places close to campus – and take advantage of specials on eats and drinks.
And after the final whistle, the music will be blasting at the official after-party at Impala, no matter the outcome.
At the Drakenstein Restaurant (known as the Draak), a NWU Potchefstroom campus favourite, the game can be watched on 16 TV screens and the big screen, NWU spokesperson Louis Jacobs said. Food and drink specials will be offered to add to the celebrations.
On the Bult, fans can pick and choose between six fan parks to experience game day: Bourbon Street, Music Cafe, MVG, Oukraal, and Texas Bar – all offering specials on food or drinks.
At Oukraal it is “everything purple”, according to manager Ruan Pansegrouw. Fans can watch the match on the projector screen inside or two TV screens outside. If they order a purple drink, they stand a chance to win a voucher worth R1,000.
Bourbon Street, locally known as “Bourbons”, has recently expanded and features large projector screens on both floors, owner Albert Bothma said. With thirteen TV screens, Texas Bar is another spot where students can have a great view of the action. “They can watch the game on either the main, deck, or sports bar, or the man cave,” the front-of-house manager, Wijëon Mostert, said.
Fans can also watch the final at Music Cafe. Manager Reandre Keyser said that they are showing the game on nine TV screens to ensure fans do not miss out. At MVG, supporters can watch on the projector screen, according to manager Shaun Taljaard. An alternative for family and friends is Cachet Park (ATKV grounds) in collaboration with the NWU office of the deputy vice-chancellors (DVC) and Student Life and the Cachet Park City Improvement District (CID). Festivities will start at 18:30 and the game will be streamed on a projector screen. Entrance and parking will be free of charge. According to Johan Naude, the chief executive officer of Cachet Park CID, there will be five food and drink stalls, and fans are allowed to bring blankets and camping chairs. No alcohol is allowed.
If the stars align in the favour of the NWU and the Eagles emerge triumphant, then it will surely be time to crank up the music across Potchefstroom. And even if the ball does not bounce our way, the show will go on at Impala, Tertius Esterhuizen, owner, said. For those who want to view the match nearest to the post-match celebration, the match will also screen at Potties Bar. “We expect this to be the big one, seeing that it is the final,” Esterhuizen said. There will be live performances by DJs and specials on drinks. – By Ruben Jooste and Waydon Jacobs