Kings Park Stadium (known as Hollywoodbets Kings Park for sponsorship reasons since 2022),[8] colloquially known as the Shark Tank, is a stadium located in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa.

Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium
Kings Park Stadium
Shark Tank
Map
Former names
  • ABSA Stadium (2000–2010)
  • Mr Price Kings Park (2011–2012)
  • Growthpoint Kings Park (2013–2018)
  • Jonsson Kings Park (2018–2022)
AddressJacko Jackson Drive, Kings Park Sporting Precinct, Stamford Hill
LocationDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Coordinates29°49′30″S 31°1′47″E / 29.82500°S 31.02972°E / -29.82500; 31.02972
Public transit
Owner
Executive suites350[1]
Capacity
Record attendance57,000 (South AfricaNew Zealand; 2002 Tri Nations Series)[6][7]
Field shapeRectangular (Football, Rugby union)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built
  • 1891 (former ground)
  • 1958 (modern ground)[3]
Renovated1976;[5] 1984; 1993–1995
Tenants

The stadium was originally built with a capacity of 12,000 and opened in 1958,[9][10] extensively renovated in the 1980s and then again in time for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It currently has a capacity of 46,000,[11] after renovations reduced the capacity from 54,000[9] and is the home ground of the Sharks. The stadium is also used by Durban-based Premier Soccer League football (soccer) clubs, as well as for large football finals.

It was previously also known as the ABSA Stadium (between 2000 and 2010),[12] Mr Price Kings Park Stadium (in 2011 and 2012),[13] Growthpoint Kings Park (between 2013 and early 2017), and Jonsson Kings Park (between 2018 and 2021) due to sponsorship deals.

1995 Rugby World Cup

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The stadium was used as one of the venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa. The stadium hosted three pool games in Pool B. The stadium also hosted one quarter final with France defeating Ireland 36–12. A very wet semi final was played here on 17 June 1995 between South Africa and France.

Date Team Result Team Round Attendance
27 May 1995 Argentina   18–24   England Pool B 30,000
31 May 1995 England   27–20   Italy 21,000
4 June 1995 England   44–22   Western Samoa 20,000
10 June 1995 France   36–12   Ireland Quarter-final 18,000
17 June 1995 South Africa   19–15   France Semi-final 18,000

1996 African Cup of Nations

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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 Result Team Round Attendance
16 January 1996 Gabon   1–2   Liberia Group C 5,000
19 January 1996 Gabon   2–0   Zaire 4,000
24 January 1996 Angola   3–3   Cameroon Group A 6,000
28 January 1996 Gabon   1–1 (a.e.t.) (1–4 (p))   Tunisia Quarter-final 4,000
31 January 1996 Zambia   2–4   Tunisia Semi-final 5,000

Other events

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Artist Tour Date
Whitney Houston The Bodyguard World Tour 8 November 1994
Roxette Crash! Boom! Bang! Tour 6 January 1995
Bon Jovi These Days Tour 3 December 1995
Tina Turner Wildest Dreams Tour 18 April 1996
Gloria Estefan Evolution World Tour 20 March 1997
Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour (the last show of the tour) 15 October 1997
Janet Jackson The Velvet Rope Tour 19 November 1998
Metallica Escape from the Studio '06 21 March 2006
Robbie Williams Close Encounters Tour 10 April 2006
Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour 20 February 2008
Rod Stewart South Africa Tour 4 December 2008

Springbok matches

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Date Opponent Result Winner Competition Attendance
21 July 1962   British Lions 3–0   South Africa 1962 British Lions tour of South Africa 40,000
23 May 1964   Wales 24–3   South Africa 1964 Wales tour of Kenya and South Africa 35,000
15 July 1967   France 26–3   South Africa 1967 France tour of South Africa 39,000
16 August 1969   Australia 16–9   South Africa 1969 Australia tour of South Africa 40,000
19 June 1971   France 8–8 draw 1971 France tour of South Africa 40,000
24 July 1976   New Zealand 16–7   South Africa 1976 New Zealand tour of South Africa 46,000
3 May 1980 South American XV 18–9   South Africa 1980 South American XV tour of South Africa 37,000
6 June 1981   Ireland 12–10   South Africa 1981 Ireland tour of South Africa 38,600
17 May 1986   South Africa 18–19   New Zealand Cavaliers 1986 New Zealand Cavaliers tour of South Africa 42,000
26 June 1993   France 20–20 draw 1993 France tour of South Africa 45,000
17 June 1995   France 19–15   South Africa 1995 Rugby World Cup 49,773
17 August 1996   South Africa 19–23   New Zealand 1996 New Zealand tour of South Africa 52,000
28 June 1997   British Lions 15–18   British Lions 1997 British Lions tour of South Africa 50,000
15 August 1998   New Zealand 24–23   South Africa 1998 Tri Nations Series 45,000
19 June 1999   Italy 101–0   South Africa 1999 Italy tour of South Africa 36,210
26 August 2000   South Africa 18–19   Australia 2000 Tri Nations Series 52,000
23 June 2001   France 20–15   South Africa 2001 France tour of South Africa and New Zealand 44,794
10 August 2002   South Africa 23–30   New Zealand 2002 Tri Nations Series 57,000
7 June 2003   Scotland 29–25   South Africa 2003 Scotland tour of South Africa 37,528
21 August 2004   Australia 23–19   South Africa 2004 Tri Nations Series 52,247
18 June 2005   France 30–30 draw 2005 France tour of South Africa and Australia 50,419
10 June 2006   Scotland 36–16   South Africa 2006 Scotland tour of South Africa 32,066
23 June 2007   South Africa 21–26   New Zealand 2007 Tri Nations Series 51,861
23 August 2008   South Africa 15–27   Australia 2008 Tri Nations Series 48,123
20 June 2009   British & Irish Lions 26–21   South Africa 2009 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa 49,055
1 August 2009   New Zealand 31–19   South Africa 2009 Tri Nations Series 43,149
13 August 2011   South Africa 9–14   Australia 2011 Tri Nations Series 47,850
9 June 2012   England 22–17   South Africa 2012 England tour of South Africa 43,052
8 June 2013   Italy 44–10   South Africa Quadrangular Tournament 23,663
14 June 2014   Wales 38–16   South Africa 2014 Wales tour of South Africa 37,182
8 August 2015   South Africa 25–37   Argentina 2015 Rugby Championship 27,447
8 October 2016   South Africa 15–57   New Zealand 2016 Rugby Championship 51,500
17 June 2017   France 37–15   South Africa 2017 France tour of South Africa 27,712
18 August 2018   Argentina 34–21   South Africa 2018 Rugby Championship 26,836
24 September 2022   Argentina 38–21   South Africa 2022 Rugby Championship 45,982
13 July 2024   South Africa 24-25   Ireland 2024 Ireland tour of South Africa 52,000

Statistics

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Statistics updated to most recent match against Ireland, 13 July 2024.

Opponent P W D L W% F A Diff.
  Argentina 3 2 0 1 066.67 97 79 +18
  Australia 5 2 0 3 040.00 81 88 –7
  British & Irish Lions 3 2 0 1 066.67 44 39 +5
  England 1 1 0 0 100.00 22 17 +5
  France 7 4 3 0 057.14 160 106 +54
  Ireland 2 1 0 1 050.00 36 35 +1
  Italy 2 2 0 0 100.00 145 10 +135
  New Zealand 7 3 0 4 042.86 149 185 –36
  New Zealand Cavaliers 1 0 0 1 000.00 18 19 –1
  Scotland 2 2 0 0 100.00 65 41 +24
South American XV 1 1 0 0 100.00 18 9 +9
  Wales 2 2 0 0 100.00 62 19 +43
Opponent 36 22 3 11 61.11 897 647 +250

Future

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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 relocate.[14] However, this is unlikely as they have a 50-year lease on Kings Park which runs to 2056.[15]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Sharks formerly participated in the Super Rugby competition between 1996 and 2020.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "2010 Bid Book Annex" (PDF). serve.mg.co.za. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 September 2021.
  2. ^ Millward, Robert (2 April 2010). "Durban stadium a tourist trap". NBC. NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. The stadium sits alongside the 56,000-capacity Kings Park rugby stadium, which is the home to the Sharks rugby union team and regularly hosts national team games. It was strongly hoped that the Sharks would move next door to the new stadium but they have a 50-year lease on Kings Park and only a huge amount of money will persuade them to leave.
  3. ^ a b Davis, Kitty (18 November 2018). "Kings Park Stadium". sastadiums.com. SA Stadiums. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Kings Park Stadium, Durban". en.espn.co.uk. ESPN. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Kings Park Rugby Stadium (Shark Tank)". lekkeslaap.co.za. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Clockwatch: SA 23–30 NZ". BBC Sport. 10 August 2002.
  7. ^ "All Blacks edge Durban thriller". BBC Sport. 10 August 2002.
  8. ^ "Time for a Break". The Sharks. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Stadium history". The Sharks. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Facts about Durban - Kings Park". Allan Jackson. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  11. ^ Burnard, Lloyd. "Kings Park sold out in 90 minutes for Springboks v Ireland, 2nd Test". Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Sharks Boss Says Absa Dropped Sponsorship to Back Boks". allAfrica. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  13. ^ "Sharks look for new sponsor". News24. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Demolish Absa Stadium, Newlands". iol News. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Sharks to Stay Put". The Sharks. 19 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010.