by Fritz Joubert
Attending the third day of the Newlands test between South Africa and Australia was a somewhat sobering affair. And no, I am not talking about the underhand goings-on by the chaps from Down Under.
If you were seeking a decent glass of red or white wine, your luck was out. No umpire decision pending. Unless, of course, you were ensconced in a corporate suite or hanging about in the Western Province Members’ Stand where the bar choices are limitless, as I have been fortunate enough to experience in the past.
If you were in the Joe Soap seats with the “normal” folk dependent on the refreshments available to the general public, any enthusiasm at the prospects of a glass of something drinkable from a Boland wine bottle was dampened.
As the Boeing passed overhead at noon, my cricket viewing was interrupted and habit got the upper-hand. I went looking for some vinous refreshment and behind the President’s pavilion I encountered a crowd of thirsty men and women already trampling each other to get a beer. I joined one of the queues to buy a token before lining up in another where the drinks were dispensed.
My humble request for a glass of dry white wine was met with: “No Sir, we only have sweet wine – white or red.” The eternal optimist in me thought that this could not be all that bad – especially if the white wine was of the Stein-style, something that could be rather agreeable at 12:00, especially if the cricket was moving along nicely.
With my R25 token in hand, my eyes widened as a monstrous glug of stuff was poured into some plastic container from a bottle of 4th Street. The first sip realised my worst expectation and I knew the immense erring of my ways, despite me not having even the slightest strip of sand-paper anywhere on me. This sickly sweet wine was just not acceptable, and thus promptly disposed of.
At the lunch break I continued my search for a glass of decent wine around the stadium without any success. Beer, more beer, flavoured coolers and cider. Not a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet or Shiraz in sight. And this when the Cape is supposed to be the showcase for South African wine.
It left a bitter taste, much like the same day’s ball-tampering. And similarly, just not cricket.
(Fritz Joubert is a former cricket writer for Die Burger newspaper for which he was at Newlands reporting on the tests between South Africa and Australia during both the 1967-1968 and 1970 tours.)
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The lack of options on all levels when visiting Newlands cricket stadium is quite shocking. As someone who doesn’t drink beer it really leaves you wondering why you even bothered paying for a ticket when you’d have been much more comfortable with a glass of decent wine, locally distilled gin and tonic or even just a Savanna Light in hand in the comfort of your own home.
Sure, you’d be missing out on the crowd and the vibe, especially when Rabada takes yet another wicket, but surely having your favourite tipple while sunning yourself on the sideline is a big part of what test cricket is all about?! And, let’s face it, it’s not like we’re exactly short on options here in the Western Cape… Get your act together Newlands!
Thanks Maryna. A day’s cricket can be a great way of promoting wine in its diversity. Help us gain a few fans too.