There was a poignant moment for the Springboks yesterday when they emerged from the Intercontinental Hotel in the heart of the CBD here to go to a practice session and were surprised by 200 cheering supporters who had materialised out of nowhere after a week of All Black madness.
The Springboks, moved by the support, in impromptu fashion interacted with their fans – many of whom had just arrived in the capital by train, plane and campervan – before heading off to put the finishing touches to their preparations for the big opener against Wales tomorrow.
“It was a warm, fuzzy episode for us,” Jannie du Plessis reflected. “We left home on September 1 and the build-up to this match has been interminable, while the hysteria for the All Blacks has just got crazier by the day. But this (yesterday) morning our fans started arriving, and in the bus to training we spoke about our responsibility to people that have travelled across the world, in tough economic times, to support us.
“It just reinforced what the Springboks mean to South Africa and the privilege we have of representing our country,” the good doctor continued. “It was a final affirmation of what we are about and what this World Cup is about – national pride!”
According to World Cup organisers, 5500 people with addresses in South Africa have bought tickets for games, but the support for the Boks will more than double in places like Auckland (where the Boks play their third and fourth pool games) because of the estimated 50000 families living on the big city’s north shore, according to figures released by the IRB’s RWC media service
Du Plessis said that despite the Springboks by some margin being the most experienced squad at the tournament, the players were experiencing a whirlwind of emotions now that two years of preparations – planning began after the core of the team agreed to continue to 2011 after the 2009 series against the Lions – had come down to 24 hours.
“What mental space are we in? There is simultaneous excitement and nervousness. This is going to sound Irish but even though we know what to expect, in reality you don’t know what to expect ...”
It is arguably the pick of the weekend’s matches: The defending champions versus a fast-improving Wales team is an appetising prospect.
Du Plessis added, very significantly, that the Boks feel that their championship credentials are on the line tomorrow. “There rightfully has been a lot said about how important this game is,” the tighthead prop said. “We feel that how we play in this game will determine how we play in the rest of the tournament.
“So we are nervously confident, and honestly can’t wait for the first whistle so that this uneasy waiting game ends!” Du Plessis smiled.
TEAMS
Wales: James Hook, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Paul James. Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny
South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Johann Muller, Willem Alberts, Francois Hougaard, Butch James
Kick-off:10.30am tomorrow - Saturday Star