Joburgstyle

Events · 15 Aug 2025

Joburg Ready to Host Bokke and Wallabies at Ellis Park This Weekend

Joburg Ready to Host Bokke and Wallabies at Ellis Park This Weekend

A year on, and the City of Joburg is ready once again to host an international clash of rugby titans. Fans eagerly await the highly anticipated rugby clash between the Bokke and Wallabies, scheduled for Saturday, 16 August, at 17:00 at Ellis Park Stadium.

This match, in turn, will see South Africa begin its defence of Rugby Championship glory in the first of two matches against Australia on home soil. An almost sold-out stadium is expected to welcome 62,000 local and international rugby fans to the Ellis Park precinct.

Stephen du Preez, founder of LocalAbode and the Jozi My Jozi (JMJ) project lead for the Urban East District Alliance, notes the city’s readiness to host another top-class international rugby match under the glorious Jozi night sky.

A panoramic photo of the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, captured at dusk with streetlights illuminating the area and a warm glow on the horizon.
A striking silhouette of the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, set against a beautiful dusk sky with warm clouds.

Fan Experience and Transport for the Rugby Clash

Supporters are encouraged to make their way to the stadium well before kick-off, where they can enjoy a beer garden, live music, and food. After the match, the entertainment will also continue.

To ensure a smooth journey, the organisers are discouraging the use of private vehicles and have put several transport options in place. Du Preez explains that the partnership between Gautrain and PRASA is the recommended option, with trains departing every 15 minutes from Park Station straight to the stadium.

Bokke vs Wallabies: Ensuring Match-Day Safety

Ensuring match-day safety is of paramount importance. Consequently, Du Preez states that organisers have implemented various security interventions to ensure the safety of supporters throughout the greater Ellis Park precinct. He confirms that SAPS, the Metro Police, and private security firms have concluded a joint security plan to ensure supporter safety throughout the day.

A Lasting Legacy from the Bokke vs Wallabies Match

Preparation for the match this year has been significantly easier because of the challenging work done last year for the test match against the All Blacks. Over the past year, the city has, for instance, focused on maintenance and sustainability to keep the precinct at the high level it achieved previously.

The collaboration between the city, JMJ and the Urban East Alliance, together with the stadium organisers, has ensured that the precinct remains at its best throughout the year and not just for international test matches.’

~ Stephen du Preez, Founder of LocalAbode and the Jozi My Jozi (JMJ) Project Lead.

This ongoing work includes installing additional solar streetlights and ensuring existing lights are in good working order. Furthermore, a private cleaning company and Pikitup have worked to keep the area clean, while the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has attended to road defects.

A wide shot of the Johannesburg skyline, including the prominent Hillbrow Tower and buildings with corporate logos.
A group of Jozi My Jozi volunteers in matching t-shirts and caps, taking photos and socialising in front of a Standard Bank branded backdrop.
Two smiling Jozi My Jozi project volunteers, a man and a woman, standing with their arms around each other, wearing blue caps and t-shirts with 'JOZI MY JOZI' on them.
Three female Jozi My Jozi volunteers smiling and taking a group photo in front of a blue Standard Bank banner at an event.
A large group of Jozi My Jozi volunteers in matching blue and black uniforms posing together for a group photo in an outdoor urban setting.
Three Jozi My Jozi project volunteers, seen from behind, posing with their hands up, with their t-shirts reading 'I LOVE THESE STREETS' in yellow text.

A Community Collaboration for the Future of Joburg Rugby

We all need to become active citizens and work together going forward to ensure this area, and so many others like it across the inner city, are kept clean, safe and inviting to draw people back to appreciate everything that Jozi My Jozi has to offer to everyone,’

~ Stephen du Preez, Founder of LocalAbode and the Jozi My Jozi (JMJ) Project Lead

This collaborative effort showcases what different parties can achieve when they work together toward a common goal. Ultimately, it highlights their commitment to keeping the area, and others like it throughout the inner city, clean, safe, and inviting.

Three Jozi My Jozi project volunteers, seen from behind, posing with their hands up, with their t-shirts reading 'I LOVE THESE STREETS' in yellow text.
A group of Jozi My Jozi volunteers in matching black t-shirts and blue caps smiling for a photo under blue tents at an outdoor event.
Volunteers from the Jozi My Jozi project, wearing blue vests and gloves, celebrate enthusiastically while cleaning up an inner-city street with graffiti on a wall behind them.

The project is a perfect example of what is possible when active citizens work together to celebrate the legacy and history of a landmark like Ellis Park.

To stay connected with the project’s ongoing efforts and to find inspiration, follow the Jozi My Jozi community on their social media platforms. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to see their journey firsthand.

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