South African supporters do a Mexican Wave during the Rugby Championship Test match between the Springboks and Argentina at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Saturday South African supporters do a Mexican Wave during the Rugby Championship Test match between the Springboks and Argentina at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Saturday. Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Stay off the field! That’s one of the warnings spectators get when they attend sporting events.
On Saturday, one rugby fan was full of regret after he left the Mbombela Stadium on a stretcher for ignoring the warning to stay off the field.
The Springboks secured a convincing 48-7 win against Argentina to clinch their first Rugby Championship title since 2019.
🏆![CDATA[]]>🤝![CDATA[]]>💚![CDATA[]]>💛![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvARG pic.twitter.com/KfA5lZNtI8
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 28, 2024
Apart from the victory, it was also a special night for Eben Etzebeth, who became the most capped Springbok of all time after winning his 128th cap, beating the 127 previously held by Victor Matfield.
So it was natural that there would be a lot of celebrations when the game ended.
A number of fans who looked like they had too much to drink decided to run onto the pitch as the Springboks revelled.
While a few did not make it far, one managed to evade a number of security guards, until he turned his back and was flattened by a tackle that would have made Pieter-Steph du Toit proud. The pitch invader’s head bounces on the turf a number of times, and is rendered unconscious.
After realising that the spectator was knocked out cold, the concerned tackler can be seen signalling for help. The entire incident was captured on camera and posted on TikTok by one Nina Burger.
@nina_burger_ Go bokke!! #mbombela #rugby #springboks ♬ Funny Song - Funny Song Studio & Sounds Reel & Thomas Hewitt Jones
The disruptive spectator was later seen being wheeled off the field on a stretcher. Fortunately, he did not require hospitalisation.
According to The Citizen, Mbombela Stadium manager Roelf Kotze attributed the incident to too much alcohol being consumed during the game.
IOL Sport
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