Southland Sharks general manager Jill Bolger is hopeful they can still pull in a decent crowd on Saturday night despite a clash with a Highlanders game in Invercargill.
The Highlanders will play their sole 2017 Super Rugby game against the Sunwolves in Invercargill on Saturday night at 5.15pm.
At 7pm the Sharks will play the Nelson Giants in a National Basketball League game at ILT Stadium Southland.
Bolger said she was alerted to the clash last week and acknowledged it could have an affect on their crowd numbers.
However, she added they have a good season membership base to call on.
"Some of our Sharks fans may want to go to watch the Highlanders but we've got some pretty loyal fans."
She said some people could look at attending both sporting events but realised the short time between games and the financial squeeze could be difficult for people.
The Sharks have averaged a crowd of about 1600 for their three home games to date this season.
Bolger hoped by the end of the season they were at the 1800 to 2000 crowd average.
The Sharks crowds have traditionally got bigger as the season has progressed.
Article and image courtesy of The Southland Times