Thunderstorms could crash Boks-All Blacks showdown
Severe weather is expected to move across Johannesburg around the same time as the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry showdown gets underway.
Severe weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and lightning, could disrupt Saturday's highly anticipated Springbok-All Blacks rugby match at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium. The Weather Hooligan, a social media personality known for weather forecasts, predicts a cloudy start to the day with relatively light winds. However, conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly around 3pm as a storm system moves westward and toward the city.
By match time, just after 5pm, the stadium could face heavy winds and rain, with thunderstorms likely to follow.
The greatest concern from the Weather Hooligan is lightning, particularly if it poses a risk to players on the field. While the stadium's structure may offer some protection against strong winds, wet conditions and the potential for lightning could make the game challenging. The match could see both teams adapting to slippery, soaked playing conditions, impacting handling and possession.
The Weather Hooligan advises spectators to prepare for rain, taking raincoats and avoiding tall trees during lightning. The storm is anticipated to bring intense rain and lightning, with possible temporary play suspension if conditions become unsafe.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.