Disruptive pitch invader ‘shaken not stirred’
The incident poured cold water on what was otherwise an exemplary showcase of world class rugby at Mbombela Stadium.
The disruptive spectator who was tackled hard by Mbombela Stadium pitch security after the test match between the Springboks and Argentina on September 28 is understood to be in good health.
Widespread rumours of the patient suffering a crushed shoulder or even death all turned out to be unfounded.
@lowvelder A man who ran onto the pitch at Mbombela Stadium following the end of the Springboks vs Argentina test match was tackled and knocked out by pitch security. The man was escorted off the field by paramedics, before he was treated by the medical staff. #mbombela #mbombelastadium #securitybreach #springboks
After being escorted off the field by provincial paramedics, the patient was treated on-site and released shortly thereafter. He did not require hospital treatment.
The Mpumalanga Department of Health’s spokesperson, Christopher Nobela, said the spectator was just intoxicated and even asked for his beer after he was released.
Pitch security had their hands full when scores of pitch invaders ran rampant across the field, flaunting their most impressive evasive footwork. Although many of them initially ran circles around pitch security, all but one were stopped in their tracks relatively unscathed.
The would-be juggernaut burst out of the northern corner of the stands opposite the tunnel, weaving his way through at least five lines of defence, all the way across to the southern end of the pitch where his glory run was abruptly ended by a skilled tackler.
ALSO READ: Springboks massacre Los Pumas at Mbombela Stadium
While the victorious Boks were conducting some post-match TV interviews and a photo session in front of the tunnel, stadium crowds cringed as the fan faceplanted in spectacular fashion behind the Boks’ backs.
No doubt the incident poured cold water on what was an otherwise stellar showcase of Mbombela’s ability to host a sold-out international sporting event.
Some experienced members of the media, who travelled from across the country to cover the game, commented how unfortunate it was the Mbombela crowd conducted themselves like that as field invasions rarely happened at big matches hosted at other stadiums.
On Sunday morning, Mbombela Stadium manager Roelf Kotze did not yet have all the details pertaining to the incident, but chalked it up to too much alcohol.
He said supporters became befuddled and started acting like big boys. He said it is funny and people laugh, and then the schoolboys join in too, but sometimes it’s necessary to tackle one guy hard to bring the rest back in line.
