The Canterbury public will welcome home the Crusaders to Christchurch for the first time in almost two years, and rugby fans elsewhere will also be pleased with the return of star player Dan Carter.
Crusaders management are urging locals to pack out the just-completed 18,000-seat Christchurch Stadium in Addington to mark the occasion on Saturday night.
The Crusaders, who have won just one Super Rugby game of three so far this year, will look to put the bottom-ranked South African side, the Cheetahs, to the sword.
Carter, who injured his groin while training with the All Blacks in last year’s World Cup, is returning fit from travelling in the US and South America.
He is expected to be named on the bench.
The last time the Crusaders played in Christchurch, in May 2010, they beat the Brumbies 40-22 to secure a semi-final spot, which was played in South Africa.
AAMI Stadium, the old Lancaster Park, was wrecked in last year’s devastating February 22 earthquake, and the Crusaders were forced to play all their games in 2011 on the road.
Despite that, they managed to make the final, losing to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane 18-13.
“This is a homecoming that has been long awaited and highly anticipated by the team and fans alike. There is no doubt it will be a very special night,” said Crusaders chairman Murray Ellis.
“This is also an important milestone for all Cantabrians, who have suffered so much over the last 18 months. The return of Super Rugby to the region is a return of some normality and will hopefully give people something to celebrate.”
Christchurch Stadium, the former Rugby League Park, underwent a $NZ25 million ($A19.6 million) government and Christchurch City Council-funded upgrade to allow the city to host Super Rugby and Test matches.