South African teams chill out in resort

The Bulls Super 15 rugby team practise at Queenstown yesterday. The resort has also this week hosted the Cheetahs Super 15 rugby side. Photos by Tracey Roxburgh.

A small crowd of rugby fans - including some teenagers who had travelled from Timaru - gathered in chilly temperatures at the Queenstown Recreation Ground yesterday to watch South African Super 15 rugby team the Bulls go through its paces ahead of its game in Timaru this weekend.

The Bulls, with a squad of about 28 players and 12 management and support staff, arrived in the resort on Sunday - as did the 40-man Cheetahs squad, also from South Africa, ahead of its game against the Highlanders in Dunedin this weekend.

Highlanders marketing manager Doug McSweeney said most travelling tour parties spent time in the resort between New Zealand fixtures if they had a game in the South Island.

Bulls halfback Fourie du Preez passes the ball during team practice at Queenstown yesterday. To his left are Bakkies Botha and No 7 Dewald Potgieter.

"South African teams, because they play two or three games in New Zealand when they're here, they obviously are on tour, they're travelling in between games and they're looking for a place to stay, rather than going directly to their next venue.

"As far as Queenstown goes, it's a pretty good destination for anyone ... the facilities [for rugby teams] are first class - there's the [Queenstown Events Centre], the pool and gym facilities and they use the [Queenstown Recreation Ground] as well."

However, Mr McSweeney said a large part of the attraction for visiting teams was about life outside of rugby.

"If they came to Dunedin for a week leading up to their game, they would be overwhelmed with rugby, fans, media attention and it could get a bit stale for them.