Kings Park Stadium
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
The Shark Tank | |
| File:ABSAStadiumsonsonson.jpg | |
 | |
| Location | Durban, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Owner | Durban City Council |
| Capacity | 55,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1880s |
| Opened | 1891 |
| Renovated | 1990s |
| Tenants | |
| Sharks, Natal Sharks | |
The Kings Park Stadium, previously the ABSA Stadium[1] for sponsorship reasons, and colloquially as The Shark Tank, is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s. It has a capacity of 55,000 and is the home ground of the Sharks. The stadium has also been used by Durban based Premier Soccer League football (soccer) clubs, as well as for large football finals.
1995 Rugby World Cup
In 1995 the stadium was one of the host venues for the Rugby World Cup held in South Africa. The stadium hosted three group games in Pool B. The stadium also hosted one quarterfinal with France defeating Ireland 36-12. The stadium was then used for the semi-final between South Africa and France, with the Springboks winning 19-15 on their way to the nation's first ever Rugby World Cup trophy.
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-05-27 |  Argentina |
18–24 |  England |
Group B | 30,000 |
| 1995-05-31 | England |
27–20 |  Italy |
Group B | 21,000 |
| 1995-06-04 | England |
44–22 |  Western Samoa |
Group B | 20,000 |
| 1995-06-10 |  France |
36–12 |  Ireland |
Quarter Final | 18,000 |
| 1995-06-17 |  South Africa |
19–15 | France |
Semi Final | 50,000 |
1996 African Cup of Nations
The stadium was one of four venues for the 1996 African Cup of Nations. It hosted 3 group matches, a quarter final and semi final.
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-16 |  Gabon |
1–2 |  Liberia |
Group C | 5,000 |
| 1996-01-19 | Gabon |
2–0 |  Zaire |
Group c | 6,000 |
| 1996-01-24 |  Angola |
3–3 |  Cameroon |
Group A | 6,000 |
| 1996-01-28 | Gabon |
1-1 (1-4 on pen.) |  Tunisia |
Quarterfinal | 4,000 |
| 1996-01-31 |  Zambia |
2–4 | Tunisia |
Semifinal | 5,000 |
1997 Michael Jackson concert
On 15 October 1997, as part of his History World Tour, Michael Jackson performed his final full concert here.
2008 Celine Dion concert
In 2008,as part of her Taking Chances World Tour, Celine Dion performed here.
Future
With the construction of the new Moses Mabhida Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 200m away, the local government had hoped that the Sharks would have relocated.[2] However, this is unlikely as they have a 50-year lease on Kings Park which only terminates in 2056.[3]
References
- ^ "Sharks Boss Says Absa Dropped Sponsorship to Back Boks". allAfrica. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
- ^ "Demolish Absa Stadium, Newlands". iol News. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ "Sharks to Stay Put". The Sharks. 19 November 2010.
29°49′29.60″S 31°1′46.88″E / 29.8248889°S 31.0296889°E
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