Durban's hospitality industry thrives during Rugby Championship weekend

Durban's hospitality industry reported a strong weekend as thousands of rugby fans travelled to the city for the Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Springboks secured an emphatic 67–30 win in front of a capacity crowd. The match also coincided with the approaching school holidays, providing a further boost for the city’s restaurants and hotels.

Naomi Crous of Umhlanga Tourism said the excitement around the event spilled beyond the stadium into the wider tourism economy.

“Events are always very exciting and boost tourism to our area. Businesses and establishments in Umhlanga are always very excited to welcome the Bokke,” she said.

“A lot of residents and visitors waited on the streets to see their bus driving past. Attractions, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses saw higher activity, and to my knowledge, most establishments were fully booked for the weekend.

“I am not aware of any challenges for local businesses or services as they prepared ahead of time for the higher influx. Restaurants and malls even made big screens and extra seating space available for supporters.

“We believe that visitors come for these special events and realise that Umhlanga and its surroundings are not only a destination of choice but an experience. There is so much to do.”

Brett Tungay, provincial chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), said the weekend confirmed Durban’s position as a premier events city.

“Most of the accommodations were full, and that is brilliant news for our sector,” he said.

“Restaurants also reported good trade. The timing with the holidays worked in Durban’s favour, and it really underlined that the city is firmly positioned as an event destination. Hosting went flawlessly; not many cities can boast having world-class stadiums next to each other, which makes Durban unique.”

Tungay added that events such as these not only benefit accommodation providers but also spill into other areas of the economy, from transport services to casual traders.

“You saw people selling flags and Bok jerseys everywhere. The energy was unmistakable, and that sort of thing shows how widely the impact stretches when Durban hosts international events,” he said.

Restaurants also enjoyed increased trade. Ricky Arton, manager at The Baron in uMhlanga, said the match brought a lively crowd.

“It was a very good weekend for us. We even hosted members of the Argentina team, which added to the atmosphere,” he said. “Whenever Durban hosts these events, it brings an energy that is good for both business and the city.”

The Oyster Box in uMhlanga reached near-capacity across the weekend. “Our occupancy was at 98% on Friday and 100% on Saturday,” said manager Ashwin Jose.

“We saw trade pick up noticeably after the game, particularly from 9 pm onwards. We had anticipated more guests at our outlets and staffed accordingly, with our Lighthouse Bar closing just after midnight.

“Overall, it was a very good weekend, and the Springboks’ win made it even more special.” Jose noted that high-profile fixtures such as the Rugby Championship tend to bring in not just domestic travellers but also visitors from neighbouring countries.

“We had a mix of guests, including international visitors who had aligned their stay with the game,” he said. “That demonstrates how valuable these sporting events are for Durban’s tourism sector.”

Not every venue, however, shared the same level of impact. Signature Restaurant in uMhlanga reported their usual Saturday trade.

“It wasn’t as busy as expected, but usually our Saturdays are always busy, so to us it was a normal Saturday,” said manager Clement Nema.

THE MERCURY