Stellenbosch off into exile until end of year

Stellenbosch face another spell as nomads with the closing of the Danie Craven Stadium in the winelands town, meaning they will have to play their home games in Cape Town for the rest of the year.

It is nothing new for the club, whose first season in the top flight in 2019-20 saw them have to play all their home matches in Cape Town because there was no suitable venue in Stellenbosch.

Once the Danie Craven Stadium – home of the Stellenbosch University rugby side – completed renovations, the club was able to move back home and take up residence but has never been able to make the ground a fortress.

Stellenbosch last season had to move matches in the African Confederation Cup around the country because the stadium was not considered suitable for continental competition, while a poor pitch also saw them move games to Cape Town.

Now the Stellenbosch stadium is to be closed for the rest of the year.

“As the stadium is owned and managed by the university, the decision falls outside of Stellenbosch FC’s control, although the club supports the continued development of this iconic venue and looks forward to returning once the upgrades have been completed,” said a club statement.

 Stellenbosch will be using the Athlone Stadium for their next two games, which are against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday and then the Equatorial Guinea club 15 de Agosto on Sunday in the second leg of their Confederation Cup tie.

The club earlier this year announced plans to build their own stadium in the town, but that is a project that has yet to get underway.