Crowd's helping hand in theatre of screams

The Ellis Park crowd probably played a pivotal part in the Springboks' 27-25 victory over the All Blacks on Saturday by forcing the referee's hand at a critical time in the Test match.

The stadium - with a crowd of 62000 - became a theatre of screams when the replay of the left shoulder of All Blacks flank Liam Messam connecting with Schalk Burger's head was shown on the big screen with two minutes to go.

Referee Wayne Barnes, who had already called an All Blacks scrum after a Bok attack had broken down, had no choice but to heed their calls for a formal review and, when the replay showed their protests were justified, Pat Lambie kicked the resultant penalty from 55m to win the game.

Even before the kick-off Bok captain Jean de Villiers sensed something stirring.

"It was incredible," he noted of the electrifying atmosphere. "I've played a few Tests here. The first time in 2004 was also against New Zealand, and the atmosphere was the same. That inspires you.

"When we drove here it took us 15 minutes longer [with a blue-light escort] because the traffic was so slow but also people were hooting and just going crazy.

"And when we sang Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika from start to finish everybody sang and I had tears in my eyes seeing the passion and what this team means to the country. That we could give them a win was great but also for us to show that we can win and that our hard work has paid off. It was a good feeling."

Match-winner Handre Pollard, who announced himself as an international flyhalf of irresistible force with two tries in the 27-25 victory also had goose bumps.

"Driving into the stadium with all the support [you felt] it was almost impossible to lose with the whole country behind you," said Pollard.

Duane Vermeulen, who went into the game with a rib cartilage injury, felt healing properties from the stands: "It is weird when a guy asks you 'are you okay, can you play?' I'd say that I'm 100s. Then two minutes later someone else asks you. Then some doubt creeps in but then during the warm-up you hear the crowd and that's just energy that motivates you. At that point I said: 'I'll push through and I want to remember this day'."

Even All Blacks captain Richie McCaw acknowledged the vibe.

"I love playing here. The atmosphere . is brilliant. As a young fellow growing up when you wanted to play in a Test match it would be in one of these at Ellis Park against the Springboks.

"I love the opportunity to play here because it is hard and it is tough. You have to be spot on if you are going to get a good result. It is one of the great places to play."

Pollard later gave a hint of things to come from the Springboks he vowed that "the days of just kicking are over".

Pollard believes the Springboks can now apply pressure through several avenues.

"We want to keep the ball and play a nice brand of rugby. We have to keep the ball in hand a bit more. If it is on, it's on. We still have our kicking game. If we find the blend that is the secret; to know when to kick and know when to run. We are getting there."

He was in no doubt that the Boks drew from their defeat by the All Blacks last month: "That result in Wellington really hurt and we took that pain and brought it into this game and it motivated us."