Wales v South Africa

The 2015 World Cup was the last time the mighty Springboks defeated Warren Gatland’s men as Wales claimed a 27-13 victory in 2016 followed by a narrow 24-22 win last year.

The two teams met in the RFK Stadium in the summer where Wales came away with a well deserved victory against a raw Springboks side. Since then South Africa recorded a series victory against England which suggests the final encounter of the autumn is going to be keenly contested.

CLICK HERE to buy your Premium Parking or your Park & Ride with Zeelo for the Wales v South Africa clash.

In the final game in the Under Armour Series at the Principality Stadium, Wales will be taking on South Africa on Saturday in the hope of being unbeaten in the series, following the wins against Scotland, Australia and Tonga.

The game will kick off at 5.20pm, so the gates of the stadium will open at 2.20pm with a full city centre road closure between 1.45pm and 8.15pm.

These are the advertised times when the council is able to close the roads. If the city centre isn’t as busy as we expect at 1.45pm the road closures will be delayed, but all up to date information will be published through the council’s twitter page via @cardiffcouncil

Enhanced security measures will be in place at Principality Stadium so all those that are coming to Cardiff to watch the game are strongly advised to leave plenty of time to get into the city and into the stadium.

Rugby fans are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales  before they travel into the city.

Detailed information from public transport providers is included in this media briefing.

Road closures

From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.

The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure:

• Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
• Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
• Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
• Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.)
• Saunders Road from its junction with St Mary Street.
• Customhouse Street throughout its length (access to private car parks will be permitted).
• Penarth Road from its junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the rear of the Central Train Station.
• The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.

Additions:
Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.

Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.

From 4.00pm, a contra flow system will be put in place on Station Terrace to allow queuing fans to safely wait to get their train at Cardiff Queen Street.

Cars will be able to exit the Capitol Shopping Centre car park via North Edward Street/Station terrace – northbound onto Newport Road/Dumphries place.

Please note:
If there are any safety concerns in connection with crowds queuing to go into the venue prior to gates opening, there may be a need to close Wood Street and Westgate Street earlier, along with lane restrictions adjacent to Gate 1 on Cowbridge Road East.

If there are any safety concerns relating to the queuing system at Cardiff Central Train Station, then Wood Street, Westgate Street, Park Street, Havelock Street, St Mary Street, Penarth Road, Saunders Road and Customhouse Street will remain closed until safety concerns are remedied.

Trains

Network Rail is advising customers that there are no planned engineering works in Wales, so there are no planned interruptions on the London to Cardiff rail line.

Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk  or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000

Transport for Wales is advising all customers that trains in the Cardiff area will be busy all day. Those travelling into the city to watch the match are advised to travel as early as possible. There will be a post-match queue system in place at both Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street. For more information on Transport for Wales’ services, please visit www.tfwrail.wales/events

After the match, fans wanting to travel home on local Cardiff and Valleys services are asked to use Cardiff Queen Street. Customers for main line services including Ebbw Vale and Maesteg services are to use Cardiff Central.

Event Park & Ride – Leckwith

Event Park & Ride is available at Leckwith and can be accessed from junction 33 off the M4 and then follow signs to Leckwith Road.

To pre-book Park & Ride visit – https://zeelo.co/rides/Wales-Rugby/park-ride-and-premium-parking-for-wales-vs-south-africa-15770

The drop off point is Tresillian Way North, at the back of the train station.

The Park & Ride is 1.5 miles from the city centre which take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

If you pre-book, the cost is £8 or £10 payable on the day (cash only). If you pre-book you have to print your pre-booking confirmation and hand it to the member of staff on arrival.

Staff will arrive at the car park at 8.30am and will open at 9.00am with the first bus leaving at 9am. The last bus will leave the pick up at the pick-up point at 9.00pm with the car park closing at9.30pm.

Motorways and trunk roads

As with all major events, ticket holders are encouraged to plan their travel well ahead and make allowances for busy motorways and trunk roads. The M4 corridor and approaches to Cardiff are expected to be very busy.

Event Day Parking

Sophia Gardens (cars)

(Approximately, 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2).

Sophia Gardens Event Day Parking

Getting there: Exit junction 32 off the M4

Cost: £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only)

Parking time: Car park opens at 8am and closes at 12 midnight.

Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 9.00pm, all vehicles are left on site at the owner’s risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.

Civic Centre Event Day Parking (cars)

Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.

Cost: £15 payable on the day (cash only) at the car park, or £12 if you pre-book – https://zeelo.co/rides/Wales-Rugby/park-ride-and-premium-parking-for-wales-vs-south-africa-15770

Parking time: The car park opens at 8.00am and all cars must be removed or have a pay & display ticket displayed by 8am on Sunday November 25^th

Can you cycle or walk?

Those who live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.

We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents who currently do not cycle would like to do so.

When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or during big events.

Shopping Parking

Shoppers are advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall. Or city centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David’s Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road)

Disabled parking

Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.

Please check individual websites for availability.

Taxis

St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will close at 1.45pm and will re-open from 8.15pm

Bus

Local buses:  
Buses will be diverted out of the central city bus stops. Buses displaced from stops within the closure will relocate to either Churchill Way for the east and Greyfriars Road for the north.

As there are ongoing road works in Despenser Street, there will be no access to Fitzhamon Embankment. Given this, the usual satellite point of Tudor Street for services going to Cardiff West will not be able to be used.

Cardiff Bus is advising that services for the west will be leaving from Taff’s Mead Embankment.  The services that will be terminating here are: 92/94, 95, 96; 61, 8/9A, X45; 25, 63, 66; and 13, 17/18.Please visit the relevant bus operator’s website for more information about your specific bus route.

National Express:
 
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.