By Karabo Seanego
ALL roads out of Pretoria lead to Soweto on Saturday as the Bulls faithful make their way to the Orlando Stadium for the Super 14 final against the Stormers.
Tickets have been sold out but this has not deterred fans without tickets, many of whom have arranged to travel to Soweto anyway to soak up the atmosphere and watch the game at local taverns.
Last weekend it was with some trepidation that many Bulls fans headed into unknown territory for the semifinal after Loftus was handed over to Fifa.
But the reception received was so positive that many who went were determined to return on Saturday; and those who missed it, were keen to join them.
Bulls fans, who held a collect-a-blanket drive, will be handing over blankets to community groups in Soweto supporting the needy.
Chris Burger said: "The goodwill of the people of Soweto was outstanding and we thought, what better way to show our appreciation and that their affection had not gone unnoticed."
Many taverns in Soweto have been inundated with bookings from Bulls fans, who said they planned to leave Pretoria a bit earlier to have more time to enjoy some Soweto hospitality before kick-off. Johann and Olivia Botha said the atmosphere at last week's game was great; "better than at Loftus".
Expectations are high for people who did not make the last trek and they want to have as much fun as possible. Justin Cook, the Bulls fan who bought the last ticket, said he was looking forward to a different kind of fun and enjoyment. "It is going to be a great African experience for me to be in Soweto."
Rea Vaya has a special park-and-ride service for the final.
Fans can no longer park near the stadium, but will be able to park at Randshow Road in Nasrec. From there they can take Rea Vaya buses, which have their own special lane through the middle of the road and can thus avoid road congestion to either side, officials said.
The trip to the stadium will take 20 minutes and there'll be a bus every two minutes, Rea Vaya project manager Jacques van Zijl said. Park-and-ride tickets are available at Computicket or at Nasrec.
There'll be enough space at the Nasrec bus stations for four buses to load passengers at the same time, Van Zijl said. "We can board people very quickly," van Zijl said.
Rea Vaya would operate a fleet of 38 articulated buses that can hold up to 117 people each, plus at least another 60 additional rigid buses, he added.
Metro Police spokeswoman Inspector Edna Mamonyane encouraged fans to use the park-and-ride and avoid driving directly into Orlando, because the construction-related traffic on the Soweto Highway will be heavy.
Metrorail has five trains available to transport rugby fans to the stadium. "The trains will commence from Pretoria station, via Centurion station, Kempton Park station, Joburg station and the final destination, Mlamlankuzi station, a four-minute walk from Orlando Stadium," Metrorail said.
For those who aren't making the trip, there are always the sports bars and taverns in and around Pretoria which will all be screening the match live. And everyone has an opinion on the outcome.
Chris Cook said the game "will go down to the wire".
"I see the Bulls winning it at the last minute with a drop goal. It is going to be a tight game," said Cook.
Another supporter, Wally Alexander, said: "The Bulls are going to run at them and score a lot of tries on the day. I see the Stormers being clobbered 53-36. We are going to hammer them hard and show them why we are the best."