Abstract
The Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town is the oldest rugby stadium in South Africa and the second oldest rugby stadium in the world. This paper explores the social and cultural consequences of the imminent demolition of the Newlands Rugby Stadium. Most research on stadia in South Africa have focused on the hosting of sports-mega events. This analysis goes beyond a descriptive examination of the tangible heritage of the stadium and focuses on the meaning and intangible heritage the stadium holds in the everyday lives of those who frequent it. With the advent of rampant commercialisation and globalisation of rugby, the Newlands Rugby Stadium itself has become expendable and a sporting space with fleeting qualities. This development highlights the importance of exploring the intangible heritage associated with this site. The study is informed by the notion of ‘Topophilia’ and associated heritage dynamics. This paper is based on the author’s observations at the stadium during Super Rugby and Test matches, interviews with fans, and vendors, and the lived experience of going to the stadium over a ten-year period.
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