Buyene said: “We know that many of our people will have difficulty with self-isolation, due to housing and other social challenges.

“The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is an asset of government with world-class infrastructure perfectly suited to respond to the current pandemic.”

He added that they were busy converting hospitality suits into isolation rooms and doctor’s facilities and that the stadium would be ready within a matter of days.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which was built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, plays host to the Southern Kings rugby team, who ply their trade in the PRO14.

The Eastern Province Elephants, who feature in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge and Currie Cup First Division, sometimes also play at the stadium.

Absa Premiership soccer outfit, Chippa United, also use the stadium as their home base.

The Kings and EP moved from Port Elizabeth’s famous Boet Erasmus Stadium to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in 2010.