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July 22 - The future of some of South African rugby's much loved stadiums was up in the air yet again, after World Cup organizing committee chief executive Danny Jordaan hinted that some stadiums could remain white elephants after the 2010 soccer extravaganza.
Speaking to the press at the African Journalism Awards 2010, Jordaan commented on the decision to demolish the Boet Erasmus stadium in Port Elizabeth.
During the debate that ensued on the issue, Jordaan commented that the Absa Stadium in Durban and the Newlands stadium may face similar fates.
He said that with the new stadiums being built in time for the 2010 World Cup, there was a strong possibility that many of the former rugby stadiums would stand empty as games were moved to the newer locations.
"This is an emotional debate that will go on for a long time," he told the media, "but who, once they have experienced the new, modern, sophisticated stadiums will want to go back to the old ones?"
"South Africa has made a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015," he continued, "and if we win that, the games will most certainly be hosted in the new stadiums. If that happened, it would certainly help to move this debate along."
Rugby bosses slammed Jordaan's comments, telling him not speak on behalf of rugby and to refrain from "lies".
They blasted Jordaan for predicting the demise of popular rugby stadiums in South Africa. "It has heritage and tradition," said Rob Wagner, MD of the Western Province Rugby Union abut Newlands. "Why would we want to demolish it?"
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