Sporting bonanza for city as calendar fills up

Dunedin's reputation as a sporting hub was enhanced yesterday with news South Africa and Zimbabwe will play cricket internationals in the city and the Wellington Phoenix will host a pre-season A-League game.

The region will be treated to a sporting bonanza of cricket, football and rugby with the codes staging major events in the city.

• South Africa test for University Oval
• Phoenix confirms stadium fixture

The Black Caps will play Zimbabwe in a one-day international at the University Oval on February 3 and return to play South Africa in a test on March 7.

The University Oval has hosted three tests and one limited-overs international, but the test between the Black Caps and the Proteas shapes as the biggest occasion in the venue's history.

"I have no doubt that it will perform up to scratch," Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes said yesterday.

The news was announced on the same day the Wellington Phoenix confirmed it will play A-League defending champion the Brisbane Roar in a friendly match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 20.

The stadium will also host four Rugby World Cup games between September and October.

Netball New Zealand is also considering staging a test between the Silver Ferns and Australia at the stadium next year, with the aim of attracting a world record-sized crowd of supporters.