The Sanlam Boland Top 12 tournament has quickly proven to be a crowd-puller, with each game drawing enthusiastic support from the local rugby-loving community. This past weekend’s action saw Robertson hosting Darling in the opening round with an impressive 2,700 spectators cheering on from the stands. Abbotsdale’s victory over the Eagles from Vanrhynsdorp attracted 1,600 fans, while Safcol and Ceres played in front of a dedicated 1,866 at Grabouw.
Newcomers to the Boland Club Rugby pinnacle tournament, Newton’s, hosted their opening round match at the home of Boland Rugby in Wellington at the Boland Rugby Stadium. Their match against Villagers Worcester attracted nearly 4,000 people.
With this momentum building, it’s time for the rest of the clubs to step up their game, especially when it comes to filling those stands. Villagers Worcester, who are set to host Abbotsdale in their next fixture at Boland Park Stadium, are leading the charge in setting an ambitious target of attracting 10,000 people for the game.




To sweeten the deal, the day kicks off with a curtain-raiser featuring an exciting U21 Boland v Border Bulldogs match — a perfect way to set the stage for the main event.
Adding to the possibility of a record crowd at Boland Park, fellow Worcester side, Young Hamilton’s RFC, will be there to support their neighbours. Worcester is also known for large community events that attracted a great number of people but this weekend the ball is bouncing favourable for the Villa Boys given that there is no major event competing with the match against Abbotsdale.
With an average attendance of 2,000 fans per game so far (excluding the many pensioners who enter for free), it is clear that the community is showing up in strong numbers, but there is room to push those figures even higher. This is where the real competition begins: not just on the field, but off it too.
The challenge has been laid down for the other clubs to up their marketing game and draw even larger crowds.
`It is not just about rugby — it is about community spirit, and Villagers Worcester is banking on that connection to pack the stadium. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just looking for a great day out, there is no better way to support your local club than to turn up, cheer loudly, and be part of the spectacle.
Who will win the off-field competition and claim the bragging rights for the biggest crowd? The race is on! Make sure to be there and let us see which club can rise to the top both on and off the field.