‘Special’ PE crowd thanked
ELATED Springbok coach Allister Coetzee described a festive Port Elizabeth crowd as “very special” after his team’s heart-stopping 19-13 win over Ireland. The Boks defended desperately in the final moments in front of 42 323 fans at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to deny a brave Irish team their first series win on South African soil. The near-capacity crowd erupted with joy at the end of the clash which decided the tense threematch series. “We had an unbelievable week in Port Elizabeth in the build-up,” Grahamstown-born Coetzee said. “The crowds who support the Springboks are good all over South Africa, but Port Elizabeth was special.” The Bok coach said he would now be going on a week’s holiday. Ahead of the clash, Coetzee predicted that his team would be in for a “hell of a battle”, and it turned out to be a tightly fought contest with the balance in doubt right up until the final hooter. The clearly relieved Bok coach paid tribute to his players, who delivered a gritty performance against a fired-up Irish outfit. “It is important to note that we started the series with a loss and were 19-3 down at Ellis Park in the second test, and we came back,” he said. “This is a team that has been together for three or four weeks and they were really put to the test. I am proud of the players. “A young group of players fought back and showed resilience and character.” Port Elizabeth resident Bradley Barrath, 31, said the atmosphere had been electrifying. “I never saw the stadium as full as it was on Saturday – the crowd was awesome and I knew the Bokke would win with the massive crowd support behind them,” Barrath said. Clement Pandaram, 32, said: “The game was super-awesome and I knew South Africa would win. “The atmosphere was great. It was nice to see the people of the Bay come together as one and support our rugby team.” Bok skipper Adriaan Strauss said his team had fought bravely to ward off a late Irish assault. “The guys showed a lot of character, especially in the last couple of minutes on our tryline,” he said. “The Irish were still in the game and it was a win-or-lose situation. The guys defended for their lives and I am very, very proud of them.” Bok try-scorer JP Pietersen was smiling from ear to ear after scoring a try which helped the Boks clinch a 2-1 series win. It also earned him the man of the match award. “It is always an honour to represent your country and score a try,” Pietersen said. “That is something special and I am very happy with the day. “I am so proud of the boys and they showed real fight. “As a senior player, I am happy that we won and that is the most important thing for me. “I must pay tribute to the new guys who put their hands up.” The next Springbok test is against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20 in the Rugby Championship. – Additional reporting by Amir Chetty