Western Province will play the next two Currie Cup matches against the Pumas and Lions at Athlone Stadium.
Province face defending Currie Cup champions, the Pumas at 5pm on Friday, before a clash with the Lions a week later.
Addressing the move in a WP media conference on Tuesday, defence coach Norman Laker told reporters: “It’s a great occasion to go to Athlone, we haven’t played there in the past. We cherish the opportunity to go and play there – especially for the people of Cape Town. It’s great for the Pumas and us to play in that stadium.
“As far as I know the ground is not too bad, so I think the atmosphere will be good. It’s something that’s new for us, but we’re looking forward to playing there.”
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The Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch is understood to have also been an alternative.
The decision was taken to move both games to prioritise pitch maintenance at Cape Town Stadium for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final, between the Stormers and Munster on Saturday, 27 May.
The ground underfoot has been an issue for most of this season, and a new hybrid pitch – which will be 50% synthetic and 50% grass – will be laid in July.
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