Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has confirmed that the club will return to their home stadium, Danie Craven Stadium, later this month when they host Marumo Gallants on 30 November in the Betway Premiership.

The venue was closed early in August due to its poor condition, forcing Stellenbosch to play their matches away from home.

Notably, they played the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round against Nsingizini Hotspurs at Moses Mabhida Stadium and the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns at the same venue. Additionally, they played their second leg of the second round of the Confederation Cup against AS Vita Club at DHL Stadium.

Other home matches were played at Athlone Stadium, including a league loss to Golden Arrows and a win over Cape Town City. Danie Craven Stadium was in a particularly bad state during Stellenbosch’s MTN8 quarter-final win over TS Galaxy in August, leading to heavy criticism from Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic.

The pitch was damaged due to adverse weather conditions in Cape Town and the Junior Rugby World Cup, rendering it unplayable.

As Stellenbosch prepares to host Gallants later this month, the pitch will be tested by Cape Town rugby franchise Stormers when they host United Rugby Championship champions Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in the URC.

“We are hopeful of playing our next home match at Danie Craven Stadium,” said Barker. “The pitch is improving, and I think this coming weekend when Stormers play there, we can hopefully host Marumo Gallants in our next match.”

Stellenbosch, who defeated AmaZulu 2-1 in the Carling Knockout round of 16 on Friday, will next face Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.