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Do the 'Pieter' and die
14/08/2002 15:38 - (SA)
Beeld
Comfortable takkies and tracksuits are just some of the "secret weapons" to be used in keeping over-enthusiastic rugby supporters off the field at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.
A 60 000-strong crowd is expected at the game between South Africa and Australia.
Last Saturday's game between the Boks and the All Blacks at Absa Stadium in Durban was marred when Pieter van Zyl, a Bok supporter, ran on to the field and tackled Irish referee David McHugh, dislocating his shoulder.
Van Zyl has been charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He has also been banned from attending rugby matches.
Any spectator who wants to test the security measures on Saturday will be facing stiff opposition.
Except for the walls, fences and trench that make access to the field virtually impossible, sports people, mostly rugby players, dressed in takkies and tracksuits, will help about 500 security guards in keeping an eye on the crowd.
Stern warning to spectators
These "uniforms" will ensure the men "can move quickly" if they have to catch a run-away supporter.
George Stainton, chief executive of Ellis Park Stadium Limited, says they held an operations meeting on Tuesday to review security measures for Saturday's game.
"Everything is going according to plan and we don't
anticipate any problems," he says. Stainton warned on Monday that any spectator planning to spoil the game for others would be summarily removed from the stands.
"Last year, we spent more than R1m to improve security measures at Ellis Park and since then, nobody has been able to run on to the field illegally," he says.
There will be 30 closed-circuit televisions spying on the grounds and spectators from all angles, while a new operational glass box with a view over the entire stadium provides an excellent vantage point.
"The stadium was designed in a way to prevent the public from getting on to the
field," says Stainton.
- Beeld
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South Africa
