By Bronwynne Jooste and Kowthar Solomons
Hundreds of frustrated rugby fans had to wait in long queues for tickets for Saturday's Currie Cup semi-final between Western Province and the Blue Bulls at Newlands, after a huge demand sent computer systems crashing.
Tickets for the match went on sale on Monday morning and operators have admitted they were not prepared for the demand.
People started queuing outside the Newlands box office from about 9am on Monday after being turned away at different outlets.
'The system couldn't deal with the volume and needed to be shut down' Outlets include Computicket branches in Shoprite Checkers stores, the Newlands box office, online portals and call centres.
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Shoprite marketing director Bryan Weyers said that although Computicket's system was "the best in the country", the demand for tickets caused the system to crash.
"The system couldn't deal with the volume and needed to be shut down. The technicians fixed the problem and we are accepting bookings now," said Weyers just before 6pm on Monday.
WP Rugby extended its office hours yesterday, promising to serve the last client. WP Rugby managing director Rob Wagner said this was the highest national demand they had had for any past sell-out Super 14 or Test match.
"We do understand that customers have experienced difficulties given the high demand and we apologise for this."
Scores of fans braved the rain to stand in the queue for hours At 5pm on Monday about 9 000 tickets were still available and a sell-out was expected. Available ticket figures could not be obtained on Tues day morning.
Scores of fans braved the rain to stand in the queue for hours.
Adri Ford said he had travelled from Stellenbosch for tickets for herself and friends from Europe and said she had waited in line for three hours.
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This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Argus on October 13, 2009
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