Jordaan told guests at the African Journalism Awards 2010 media debate last Friday that the decision to demolish the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth would be followed, in time, by similar decisions at Newlands in Cape Town and Absa Stadium in Durban.

He claimed that that they will be replaced by the new stadia being built for next year's World Cup, the first time the event has been held in Africa.

Jordaan said: "This is an emotional debate that will go on for a long time, but who, once they [the fans] have experienced the new, modern, sophisticated stadiums will want to go back to the old ones?

"South Africa has made a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and if we win that, the games will most certainly be hosted in the new stadiums.

"If that happened, it would certainly help to move this debate along."

But Western Province Rugby Union president Tobie Titus reacted angrily to Jordaan's comments.

Titus said: "What he is saying is all lies.

"The Western Province Council has already taken a decision months ago that we would not be moving out of Newlands to the Green Point Stadium.

"I belong to rugby, not soccer.

"Danny has no right to say that rugby matches, including possible World Cup matches in 2015, will be hosted at Green Point. Rugby matches have to be hosted at the home union's venue, and in our case, that is Newlands.

"He cannot speak on behalf of rugby."

Newlands, which is overlooked by Table Mountain, is one of the most famous grounds in world rugby.

It opened in 1890 and staged its first international a year later when South Africa played the British Lions there.

It also staged the opening match of the 1995 World Cup, a tournament South Africa ended up winning amid emotional scenes in front of then President Nelson Mandela.

Rob Wagner, the managing director of the Western Province Rugby Union, said it was also the first he had heard of it.

He said: "We own the stadium, there is no debt on it and it's probably one of the oldest rugby grounds in the world.

"It has heritage and tradition.

"Why would we want to demolish it?

"I can't understand how Jordaan could have said that."

Brian Van Zyl, the chief executive of the Sharks rugby franchise, who play at the Absa Stadium, said the issue had not been raised with him.

He said: "That's the first I've heard of it and its absolute nonsense.

"The first section of our stadium was built in 1995 and since then there have been major renovations," he said.

"Jordaan's opinion of Absa is subjective.

"In any case, we have made a promise to all our stakeholders that before we make any decisions regarding this stadium, we will consult with them through a transparent process.

"To date, the indication from many of them is they don't want to move - I guess it could be considered an emotive issue, but it's about a culture."

Van Zyl said according to clause six of the South African Rugby Union's constitution, all international rugby matches would be played at rugby venues, which includes the World Cup.

He said: "And I don't think that's about to change."

President of the Eastern Province Rugby Union, Cheeky Watson, said the demolition of the Boet Erasmus stadium was "appropriate".

He said: "The lease has run out there and we will be moving to the new stadium."

The Boet Erasmus Stadium, which was built in 1960 and has a capacity of 45,000, is expected to be razed to the ground next year and rugby is set to relocate to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, newly completed for the World Cup.

The new ground has already hosted rugby as the sport officially opened the stadium last month when the British Lions beat local side Southern Kings Invitational side 20-8.

The Boet Erasmus Stadium is famous as it was where in 1974 the British Lions took their first series off the Springboks for 78 years by winning the third Test of a four-match rubber 26-9.

The match was one of the most brutal in rugby history and is now infamously known as the Battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium.

Luncedo Njezula, the  spokesman for the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, said plans for the future of the arena included an international convention centre.

"The commendation is to demolish the Stadium, but we are waiting for the political decision on the matter.

"The idea is to build an international convention centre on the site, but we are waiting for the completion of two casino bids, which could include conference centres.

"So the final decision is on hold at the moment."