Newlands supporters to back Crusaders in semi-final clash against Stormers - Super Rugby News
The local supporters of the Newlands are set to backup the touring Crusaders in the second semi-final of Super Rugby. The South African fans are eager to support the New Zealander derby on their soil for the second-time in the ongoing Super Rugby championship.
The Crusaders received big cheers in their first clash against the Stormers during the round matches. The second Super semi-final will be played between the Stormers and Crusaders on July 2.
The officials of the Stormers are a bit worried because of the un-natural support of the local fans for the Crusaders. South African Rugby Union (SARU) president, Oregan Hoskins, has hinted that there may be provincial differences which could urge the Newlands
residents to oppose Cape Town based Stormers.
Hoskins asked the locals to come out for their domestic team and encourage the Stormers because the derby is the only South African team that qualified for the play-off stages. He said that, "Rugby has positive ramifications for the whole of Cape Town, for
the Western Cape and South Africa. It's not just the people at Newlands, but 50 million people across South Africa. Let's rally, and put aside our healthy differences.''
Meanwhile, the Stormers coach, Allister Coetzee, is hopeful to get applause from the local rugby enthusiasts. He added that everyone from South Africa should boost their own team in the wide spread interest of the country. He further said that it will be
very disappointing for the Stormers if they are not supported by their own people.
Coetzee shifted his conversation and said that, "We had a chat about it as a team and it is definitely not ideal if people from your own city boo you as you step off the bus. Normally we get cheered. We know we still have, across the spectrum, a solid support
base in Cape Town.''
The Stormers skipper, Schalk Burger, is also urging the home fans to cheer the domestic players in a crucial game against the Crusaders. He is sure that local opposition could harm their chances of qualifying for the Final.
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