SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: World Cup fever is even infecting die hard rugby fans

Record ID: 454774

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: World Cup fever is even infecting die hard rugby fans
  • Date: 13th June 2010
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 12, 2010) (REUTERS) FANS ARRIVING FOR MATCH WEARING BAFANA SHIRTS FAN BLOWING VUVUZELA 'NO VUVUZELA' SIGN ON STADIUM WALL SECURITY OUTSIDE STADIUM NEWLANDS STADIUM SIGN WIDE OF STADIUM MASS OF FANS ARRIVING (SOUNDBITE) (English) BERNARD, SPRINGBOK SUPPORTER WEARING BAFANA SHIRT, SAYING: "Well, I support Bafana all the way. And the rugby is also South African, the Springboks is also South African. I'm proudly South African. I'm proudly South African." FANS OUTSIDE STADIUM MORE FANS WITH BAFANA SHIRTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPRINGBOK FAN SAYING: "Great game. Pity about the defence. They could have won it maybe 2-1. They've got a great chance to get through. Come on Bafana!" FAN WEARING MAKARABA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPRINGBOK SUPPORTERS MARTIN (Left) AND BRETT (Right) SAYING: (Martin): "Yeah, we just support South Africa, whatever (the sport). The spirit." (Brett): "We've all got this pride now. This whole country has come together. We've never seen this before in our lives. It's amazing." MORE FANS OUTSIDE STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) BERNARD, SPRINGBOK FAN WEARING BAFANA SHIRT, SAYING: "Fantastic. It's a dream actually that came true. Through all these years, it came true." FAN WITH BAFANA SHIRT BLOWING VUVUZELA VARIOUS OF FRENCH TEAM ARRIVING FRENCH TEAM SUPPORTER
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TKG7OH9SEGY4VMLNQ8RZ7U5Y
  • Story Text: In a sporting-mad country, South African fans showed their true colours on Saturday (June 12) to support their national sides in both football and rugby - something that would have been unusual only a decade ago.
    A day after the opening of the soccer World Cup, which saw Bafana Bafana play a 1-1 draw with Mexico in the first game, stalwart South African rugby fans donned green and gold to support the Springboks for a one-off international test match against France in Cape Town.
    "Well, I support Bafana all the way. And the rugby is also South African, the Springboks is also South African. I'm proudly South African," explained Bernard, a rugby fan wearing a Bafana shirt.
    The 'Mother City' had the unique opportunity to play host to both of France's national teams in two days. On Friday night (June 11), in the second game of the World Cup, France played a goalless draw against Uruguay.
    Though not overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the world's biggest sporting event being hosted in their country, Springbok supporters were still happy to cheer for their soccer team.
    "Yeah, we just support South Africa, whatever (the sport)," said a young Springbok supporter.
    "We've all got this pride now. This whole country has come together. We've never seen this before in our lives. It's amazing," explained his friend.
    As thousands crowded into historic Newlands Stadium, to watch the 2007 world champions host the Six-Nations champions, several hundred yellow Bafana jerseys speckled the green sea of Springbok shirts, jackets and scarves. Even a rare vuvuzela could be heard over the din of the crowds, despite signs prohibiting their use in the stadium.
    In all, rugby fans welcomed the attention the World Cup has brought to South Africa - even the bar at the Newlands Stadium is showing all 64 matches.
    "Fantastic. It's a dream actually that came true. Through all these years, it came true," explained Bernard.
    Some fans were optimistic that South Africa might have chance at being crowned champions in both football and rugby this year. In any case, the Springboks didn't take their lead from Bafana Bafana, with the rugby boys defeating France 42-17.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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