Springboks thrilled with SA support in US, hope Americans embrace rugby
Far from a neutral venue, the Springbok team enjoyed incredible support ever since they arrived in the States.
Rugby World Cup hopefuls the Springboks have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support they received from South African fans in the United States during their recent victory over the All Blacks. Head coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi were thrilled by the turnout at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where over 68,000 spectators packed the neutral venue to cheer for the Springboks, who claimed a 43-28 win and secured a 3-1 series triumph.
Erasmus had initially doubted the level of support they could expect, acknowledging the team's previous struggles with empty stadiums during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the reality proved quite different, with many South African travelers and expats making the journey to witness the historic match. The coach expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support, saying, "So many South Africans" and emphasizing how special it was for the team to have such a warm welcome from people all over the world.
Kolisi, the team's captain, echoed his coach's sentiments, stating that the green jerseys and Nando's lined up at the hotel were a testament to the immense support they received. He added, "We are super grateful for all the people who bought tickets and travelled. Hopefully we made it special for them." As the Springboks prepare for their upcoming World Cup in the United States in 2031, the overwhelming support from the US fan base bodes well for their prospects on the global stage.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
