Home away from home? Springboks fans show up at Twickenham [watch]

The show of support for the Springboks at Twickenham is proof that no matter where South Africans are in the world, they will always carry a piece of home with them.

At the English stadium, the national team faced off against New Zealand’s All Blacks on Friday, 25 August.

The Boks nailed a historic 35 -7 win against their biggest rivals in the Rugby World Cup warm-up match.

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SPRINGBOKS FANS SHOW UP IN DROVES

In pics and clips posted on social media, the Springboks received overwhelming support from South Africans abroad at Twickenham.

According to NewsHub, the 82,000-capacity London stadium – home of the English rugby team – sold out tickets to the match in mere hours.

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To all the 'Scatterlings of Africa' who turned Twickenham into Bok HQ, thank you! It was literally one for the history books #Springboks #StrongerTogether #CoreMemory

— Boet Spencer 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@Spring_n_Boks) August 26, 2023

And it was clear that many of the fans in attendance were Saffas. Wearing their SA rugby shirts and waving their flags, the supporters proudly belted out the national anthem and cheered throughout the heated clash.

Many joked that Twickenham was the boks’ “home away from home.”

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Take a look…

Witnessed history at Twickenham last night! #Springboks #RSAvsNZL pic.twitter.com/LCVj4XJrzx

— Tebogo Sebitlo (@djstebo051) August 26, 2023

The #Springboks have arrived at Twickenham … looks like it's #BokFriday in London too 😊#StrongerTogether #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/CetRVZA0hy

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 25, 2023

What a privilege to watch the #Springboks record win over the All Blacks at #Twickenham. Seemed like a home game with a sea of green jerseys pic.twitter.com/hTLcYTtAAy

— Paul Lamont (@paullamont2001) August 26, 2023

It was an absolutely wild atmosphere at Twickenham. So much gees. It felt like a home game pic.twitter.com/q0NMdz8UEa

— Stuart Slyper (@SSlyper) August 25, 2023

We had such good seats 😂 didn’t realise how excellent they were when I bought them 😂😂🤣 absolutely ecstatic 🇿🇦🏉 can’t believe my first time at Twickenham ever was watching the bois win 🏆 see you in France @Springboks 🫶🏼 ily pic.twitter.com/xpfec71g2Z

— Tash (Taylor’s Version) 🩵 ⸆⸉ (@tashmontlake) August 25, 2023

A fantastic experience last night at Twickenham watching the New Zealand 🇳🇿All Blacks against South Africa 🇿🇦. Two amazing teams 🏉going head to head in the UK. South Africa coming out on top 35-7 in front of over 80,000 fans. Most certainly a memory to cherish 😉👍🤗🏉 pic.twitter.com/sz5gyZj65P

— Ian Greenman (@IanGreenman) August 26, 2023

View from my seat #SprinboksvsAllblacks Twickenham pic.twitter.com/zXD6Bz7tHV

— Steve daniel (@decltdinfo) August 26, 2023

SIYA AND TEAM TOUCHED BY SUPPORT

Meanwhile, Siya Kolisi thanked fans at Twickenham for backing the boys in green and gold. The captain was given an overwhelming applause from the crowd.

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In a post-match interview, he said, “To see so many beautiful South Africans out here today, I can’t tell you how proud I am.

“As we were driving in the bus [here], we were reminded who we are playing for”.

Look at the support for @SiyaKolisi. “We do it for you”- Siya Kolisi to South Africans supporting the Boks. Beautiful South Africa, beautiful South Africans. United we shall stand 😀 🇿🇦 #RSAvsNZL #Springboks #StrongerTogether @Springboks #SSRugby pic.twitter.com/QdgNhUdCr9

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) August 25, 2023

Many of the players, including Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe – took pics with fans in the stadium.