Mbombela Stadium is known to have an electrifying atmosphere, and Springbok assistant coach Daan Human confirmed this when he called the crowd in the Lowveld ‘one of the best in South Africa’.
The Springboks are set for a date with destiny on Saturday, September 28, as the test match against Los Pumas of Argentina will decide which side of the Atlantic Ocean the Rugby Championship trophy will call home for the next year.
This comes after a disappointing one-point loss at the hands of the Argentinians in Santiago on Saturday, September 21.
Human acknowledged his and the team’s disappointment at the loss, but vowed they would bounce back this weekend.
“Hopefully we can deliver for the public. We owe them actually after Saturday [in Argentina]. We owe the public, we owe ourselves and we owe the whole country, because I know the whole country is behind us. Hopefully we can make them proud on Saturday,” he said during a press conference at Southern Sun Nelspruit on Monday, September 23.
ALSO READ: Mass of green and gold supporters welcome the Springboks at KMI Airport
He also had high praise for the fans who come out to support the Boks at Mbombela Stadium.
“The last time we had a test much here everyone was so welcoming. So everybody [in the Springbok camp] was looking forward to coming back to Mbombela, especially the fact that we’ve been accepted here, and given how we experienced that week here last time. It was special. I don’t think there’s one player who’s not happy to be back here.”
The outpouring of support for the Springboks is evident not only in the stadium, but at KMI Airport upon their arrival from Argentina on Sunday, too. “The atmosphere when we arrived here yesterday [Sunday] was unbelievable,” Human said.
ALSO READ: New park-and-ride system for Springboks’ Mbombela test
Jaden Hendrikse was also thankful and full of praise for the welcoming to the Lowveld.
“I told Canan [Moodie] that it reminded me of trophy tours, so it was really nice having the people come out to support us. You know people back you all the way, no matter whether you win or lose,” the Springbok scrum half said.
Looking ahead, Human was excited for the atmosphere in the stadium. “Mbombela is probably one of the best crowds in South Africa,” he said.
When asked whether he thinks the Mbombela crowd can beat the rendition of the national anthem sung at Loftus Versfeld against Ireland at the start of the season, Human simply said: “I think you can top it.”
