Tuks move across the road

Monday's Varsity Cup double header fixtures at FNB Tuks' LC de Villiers Stadium have been moved to the adjacent Tukkies Athletics Stadium because of problems with the playing surface.

According to TuksSport director Kobus van der Walt, Argentina will be based at the University of Pretoria's High Performance Centre during the FIFA World Cup in June/July and in order to comply with Argentina's requirements, the rugby stadium's playing surface had to be stripped entirely.

"Work on this project started late last year with the assumption the replanted field would be play ready on February 1," explained Van der Walt.

"Heavy rains and overcast skies during November and December 2009 as well as in January slowed the grass growing process to such an extent that we had no choice but to move the Varsity Cup opening matches to the adjacent athletics stadium."

Tuks' next home game, against FNB UJ on Monday, February 8, will also be played at the athletics stadium.

The first match on the new pitch at the rugby stadium will be against NMMU on February 12 when the upgraded flood lights will also be used for the first time.

Kosie Horn, from the SA Rugby Referees' association commented: "In terms of the safety, given the athletics track around the field, and the sizings and markings on the field I am satisfied that everything has has been put in place by the Tukkies Rugby Club to ensure that the matches take place as promised."

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