Heroes' welcome for Boks ahead of series-decider in PE

20 June 2016 - 10:24 By Alvin Reeves And Kathryn Kimberley
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More than 100 fans lined up to give a hero’s welcome to the Springbok rugby team as they arrived at the Port Elizabeth Airport on Sunday afternoon following their come-from-behind win against Ireland at the weekend.

Franco Marais with Tendai Beast Mtawarira during the Cell C Sharks training session and press conference at Growthpoint Kings Park on March 08, 2016 in Durban, South Africa.
Franco Marais with Tendai Beast Mtawarira during the Cell C Sharks training session and press conference at Growthpoint Kings Park on March 08, 2016 in Durban, South Africa.
Image: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

The Boks set up a mouth-watering series-decider for Port Elizabeth after levelling the three-match series at 1-1 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

EP KingsPosted by HeraldLive - Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Clad in Bok apparel‚ the fans gave the squad a rousing welcome as they chanted “Hier kom die Bokke” (Here come the Boks) as the team walked through the airport.

Some players took time to pose for photographs with the younger fans‚ but then quickly made a beeline for their tour bus.

As they drove off‚ the crowd shouted: “Beast‚ Beast” - in support of fan favourite Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira.

The team are expected to contest the third Test in front of a capacity 43 000 crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

More than 31 000 tickets had already been sold by noon on Friday‚ with the cheapest available tickets starting at R275.

The Irish team jetted into Port Elizabeth shortly after 5pm on Sunday.

The Boks‚ down 19-3 at halftime on Saturday‚ introduced their bench in the second half and the fresh legs ensured one of South Africa’s most memorable comebacks.

They made the majority of the play in the second half‚ eventually handing new coach Allister Coetzee his first victory in charge by a 32-26 margin.

The signs look good for Coetzee’s troops for this weekend as the Boks are undefeated at the Bay stadium‚ having won two Tests and drawn one.

TMG Digital/The Herald

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