07/05/2008 22:04

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - The Stormers have this year drawn their biggest crowds to Newlands since 1999. And Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd will derive huge benefits from the team's success.

Last season, the crowds for Super 14 matches at Newlands averaged just over 28 000. This year the attendance has not dropped below 40 000.

Gavin Lewis, chief or marketing at WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, confirmed on Wednesday that the Stormers had not drawn bigger crowds in any other season since 1999.

In that year, when Alan Solomons was the coach and Bob Skinstad and Corné Krige captained the team, the average attendance for the six home matches came to 46 173.

So far this year, with Rassie Erasmus as coach and Jean de Villiers as captain, the Stormers have drawn, on average, 44 312 spectators to their matches at Newlands.

And this week, when the Stormers play the Waratahs, there may be more spectators than last week, when 44 539 watched them beat the Brumbies.

"Ticket sales are good but there is still some room," Lewis said.

Rob Wagner, managing director of WP Rugby, said they were grateful towards the Cape rugby public.

"This year is phenomenal. We have not had fewer then 40 000 spectators. Of course, this holds financial benefits for Western Province."