Stormers-Connacht URC game moved due to Justin Bieber concert in Cape Town

Connacht's United Rugby Championship fixture against the Stormers on 24 September has been switched from DHL Stadium in Cape Town because it clashes with a Justin Bieber concert.

The Canadian singer is performing at the venue on 28 September, forcing the Stormers to move their opening two games of the season to Stellenbosch.

Connacht will instead begin their two-match tour against the defending champions at Danie Craven Stadium, which is an hour’s drive from Cape Town.

They then travel to Pretoria to face last season’s runners-up, the Bulls, on 30 September.

The Stormers, who defeated the Bulls in June’s inaugural URC Grand Final, have moved three matches in Stellenbosch and another to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth due to pre-booked events at DHL Stadium.

As well as next month’s Bieber concert, the venue is booked to host the Cape Town Sevens in December and a monster truck show in April.

"While every effort was made to avoid these clashes, the events at DHL Stadium had been booked up to a year in advance, while the Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixtures could only be confirmed recently," the Stormers said in a statement.

"The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch due to the Justin Bieber concert which will be held at DHL Stadium on 28 September, which will require significant construction in the stadium.

"The round nine clash with Dragons RFC on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium due to preparations for the HSBC Cape Town Sevens, which takes place at DHL Stadium the following weekend.

"The DHL Stormers will also end the regular season against Benetton at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch