Newlands Rugby Stadium will be the venue for three of the top Super Rugby franchises, when the Sharks, Western Force and Stormers face each other in a round of pre-season warm-up matches ahead of the 2010 Super 14.

According to the Stormers’ website, the Stormers will kick-off their campaign against Australia’s Western Force on Saturday, January 23 (kick-off 17:00) at their home ground in Newlands. Coastal counterparts the Sharks then face the Force on Tuesday, January 26 (kick-off 19:00) at the same venue, after which the Stormers will do battle against the men from Natal on Friday, January 29 (kick-off 19:00).

The traditional friendly match between the Stormers and provincial neighbours Boland will once again take place. Boland Rugby Union, who play hosts to this fixture, have opted to move the fixture from their home ground in Wellington to the new Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. The match will take place on Saturday, February 6.

Tickets for the matches at Newlands are priced at R50 for seating (all stands), R20 for standing room and R10 for scholars (in the scholars area’s only).

Details for the Stormers v Boland fixture at Cape Town Stadium are still to be announced.

Meanwhile, despite ongoing media speculation as to the future of Newlands after 2010, the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) has made it clear they are not planning to change base.

In a recent statement the WPRFU admitted they had had some discussions about moving to Green Point, but decided against it.