Friday, September 23, 2011

RUGBY WORLD CUP: South Africa 87, Namibia 0

22.09.2011
Review Well I predicted a win to South Africa by 75 so I wasn’t far out. The last two tries looked very easy for South Africa and I was pleased the game ended when it did. The Namibians were boxing well out of their class and the effort was really telling late in the game.
South Africa won easily in the end but I had to admire the way the Namibians stuck to the task almost throughout. It was pleasing to see the Namibians emerge at the end of the game to do a ‘thank you’ lap in recognition of the supporters who turned out for them.
Pics below
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On the bus heading towards the ground. Tricia, from East Coast Bays, is supporting Namibia.

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Well, why not? I support the underdogs. The bus had a large contingent of South Africa supporters heading towards the park. A group of families thoroughly enjoying the night out. Very noisy, very happy and plenty of humour.
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Outside the ground the ‘Auckland City Dukes’ a group of Capetown South Africans made the most of the evening with music and song. Not only did they agree to pose for me they also started up the music
.
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Pieter Skinner, left, from Whangarei, was hosting friends from South Africa. Second from left were, Frans Venter from Thabazimbi, Keith Richter from Durban and Danie Van Niekierk also from Durban. The head gear represents  the springbox, an antelope, which is the symbol of South African rugby. In the days when the Springbox team toured, a mounted head of a springbox animal was presented to the first provincial or club side who defeated the touring South African team. 

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Plenty of crowd support for both teams. The ground was at near capacity. More South African supporters than Namibian. The North Shore of Auckland has a very sizeable South African community.

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At the end of the game the Namibian team stayed on the field and then did a lap of thanks to all the supporters for their team. A very nice and welcomed gesture greeting with cheers and applause from the crowd.

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