“Work on this project started late last year with the reasonable assumption that the replanted field would be play ready on February 1 2010. Heavy rains and overcast skies during November and December 2009 as well as January 2010 slowed the grass growing process to such an extend that we had no choice but to move the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup opening matches to the adjacent TuksAthletics Stadium, as adequately equipped for February 1’s showdown,” said Kobus.

FNB Tuks next home game, against FNB UJ on 8 February, will also be played in the TuksAthletics Stadium.

The first match on the new pitch in the TuksRugby Stadium will be against FNB NMMU on 22 February when the upgraded flood lights will also be used for the first time.