The Free State may have lost the ”Orange” part of its name in the new South Africa, but Bloemfontein was a sea of orange as the city prepared for the Currie Cup final between the Cheetahs and the Lions on Saturday afternoon.
Almost every vehicle in the city streets sported an orange Cheetahs flag, and orange was the colour to wear. From wrinkled grandmothers to tiny tots, residents were dressed in something orange, and the retailers were making a killing.
The city’s main shopping mall was festooned with orange balloons and the shops had joined the party as well.
Lifestyle shops had orange plates, bowls and mats on display. Even the smartest dress shops had put out racks of orange dresses, skirts and blouses. Sports shops had rows and rows of Cheetahs shirts, T-shirts, golf shirts, sweatshirts and caps. One hairdresser was offering a special on ”Cheetah extensions” — in brilliant orange.
Salespeople also wore their provincial colours on their sleeves, with many wearing Cheetahs replica shirts or some form of orange.
Cellphone company MTN shared its offices with the local radio station, OFM, and had to put up with their building being swathed in flags and posters supporting the Cheetahs, who are sponsored by rivals Vodacom.
”It’s very good for business,” said the owner of a bed-and-breakfast establishment.
”We’ve had people coming in to watch the final, and the bars and restaurants will do a roaring trade with all the people who can’t get into the stadium getting together to watch the match.”
The triumphant Springbok rugby team was scheduled to put in an appearance at the final, and while the people of the city would be pleased to see them, captain John Smit and his team might have to take second place — the real heroes in this rugby-mad city are their beloved Cheetahs.
By 9.30am on Saturday morning people had started arriving to take up their seats in the rugby stadium.
Meanwhile, the people of Bloemfontein appeared to be unaware that an international cricket team was in action at the cricket ground next door — there were just three spectators to watch a South African Invitation XI, led by Free Stater Morne van Wyk, in action against New Zealand.
Saturday was not a day to be seen in Lions red in Bloemfontein. — Sapa