Butcheries and bottle stores across Durban did a roaring trade on Friday afternoon and expected a manic Saturday morning ahead of the Super 14 final clash between the Bulls and the Sharks.
Beer and braai packs were most in demand.
”There are huge braai orders,” said Chris Giani, the manager of Dirk’s Meet Market in Davenport Square. ”This is bigger than last weekend [when the Super 14 semifinals were held].”
He said last weekend’s clash between the Blues and the Sharks had started a frenzy at his butchery, but that since the game he reckoned sales had gone up by at least 15%.
”It’s a major thing. Just phenomenal. People are going haywire!”
On the other side of town, a liquor store on Argyle Road, which is about a kilometre away from Absa Stadium, reported brisk business.
The manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said business had started booming on Thursday afternoon.
”It’s been busy today [Friday]. People are buying mainly beers and cider. I don’t know what tomorrow [Saturday] will bring. But people are holding big parties.”
Fans who had hoped to join the afterparty on the outer fields will be disappointed. The area has been closed off and only ticket holders will be allowed in the area for security reasons. — Sapa