Prepare for heavy traffic in Cape Town this Rugby World Sevens weekend
Fans make their way to Cape Town Stadium as major road closures and diversions take effect for the Rugby World Sevens this weekend.
Image: Murray Swart
Cape Town is bracing for a heavy traffic squeeze this weekend as the Rugby World Sevens takes over the Green Point precinct. Thousands of fans are expected to stream toward Cape Town Stadium from early on Saturday and Sunday.
Authorities warn that public transport remains the smoothest way in. Metrorail will operate on its usual schedule and passengers must hold valid tickets, but no special late trains will run after the final whistle.
Normal services wrap up from 5.30pm, which means homebound supporters will need to use the road-based options. MyCiTi services will run on regular times and fares, and supporters are encouraged to travel to the Civic Centre and connect to the free Stadium shuttle. A myconnect card is required for all standard MyCiTi routes.
The Stadium shuttle — free to anyone with a match ticket starts running from the Civic Centre at 8am on both days. Buses depart every 15 minutes or as soon as they fill up, operating throughout the event. The last return trip to the Civic Centre leaves the Stadium at 10.15pm.
Motorists heading into Green Point will face sweeping closures. Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Vlei Road and Granger Bay Boulevard will all be fully closed in both directions from 6am to 11pm on Saturday and Sunday. Stephan Way will be shut from 6am to 10pm on both days. Portswood Road’s northbound lane will close between 7.30pm and 9.30pm each night, while Fort Wynyard Street will be closed from 6am to 11pm throughout the weekend.
Helen Suzman Boulevard will operate with a dedicated bus and emergency lane between 8am and 10pm, and Somerset Road will run city-bound only between Ebenezer and Chiappinni streets from 10am to 9pm. Buitengracht will be blocked at Chiappinni between 1pm and 9pm on Saturday and between 8am and 10pm on Sunday. Parking is strictly prohibited on all affected roads during the closure periods, although garage access remains open to permit holders.
Public transport operators will also be navigating detours. Golden Arrow buses travelling along Somerset and Main Road will be rerouted via Helen Suzman Boulevard after 1pm on Saturday and after 10am on Sunday.
V&A Waterfront-bound services entering the CBD will divert via the CTICC and Heerengracht before looping back toward the harbour. MyCiTi’s Waterfront route will remain operational but passengers should expect delays, especially as the Granger Bay station will be closed for the duration of the event.
Commuters are advised to make use of the Stadium, Waterfront or Buitengracht stops instead.
Drivers determined to park in the CBD will find both free and paid options. On-street parking in the CBD remains paid until 1pm on Saturday, after which it becomes free, and is free all day Sunday. Off-street parking at the CTICC, Ryk Tulbagh Square, the Fountain Hotel, Picbel Parkade,
Mandela Rhodes and Plein Park will operate as usual. Parking restrictions in the residential areas surrounding the Stadium will be enforced from 8am to 9pm on both days. Fans may also park at the V&A Waterfront and walk to the Stadium.
Dedicated disability parking is available on DF Malan Drive for those connecting to the Stadium shuttle, but must be pre-booked by emailing [email protected]. A City-issued disability permit and a full-colour Vehicle Access Permit must be displayed on entry.
Drop-and-go zones will operate on DF Malan Drive opposite Artscape and along the Helen Suzman Boulevard embayment on the city-bound side between Vlei Road and the elevated circle at Granger Bay.
Heavy foot traffic is expected along the Fan Walk, which remains partially open to vehicles. Pedestrians are urged to stick to the sidewalks and the dedicated underpass route at Green Point Circle.
Those walking from the V&A Waterfront should avoid Portswood Road and instead use Granger Bay Boulevard, which offers the safest path.
Cyclists may ride to the Stadium and make use of the bike racks near the raised circle, provided they bring their own lock and follow all safety guidelines.
The City is urging supporters to collect their match tickets ahead of the weekend and has reminded fans that no pass-outs will be allowed between games. For transport enquiries, the 24/7 Transport Information Centre can be reached at 0800 65 64 63 or via [email protected].