Advertising removed to help protect WCup fields

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa's World Cup organising committee has convinced rugby officials to remove on-field advertising logos in Super 14 matches to avoid damaging playing surfaces.

The South African Rugby Union said yesterday it had received a request from the local organising committee to remove the logos as it was concerned about damage to the grass at World Cup venues.

SARU said the on-field branding for the rugby competition would now be removed and digitally projected onto the television image instead.

"We are fully behind our friends at soccer and we hope this assistance will help them deliver the ideal World Cup," SARU president Oregan Hoskins said.

Painted-on advertising will be taken off pitches at Johannesburg's Ellis Park as well as World Cup stadiums in Pretoria and Bloemfontein. The changes will be in place for today's match between the Bulls and Otago of New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Three of South Africa's 10 World Cup venues are traditionally rugby stadiums.

The two sports have said the World Cup will not be affected by South Africa's rugby season. The FIFA rules normally prevent major sporting events taking place in World Cup host cities during the tournament.

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