Did a timely – or untimely – pitch invader cost Wales victory in their Test against the Springboks in Cardiff on Saturday? Photo: Getty Images
Lifetime stadium ban for pitch invader
The pitch invader who disrupted the Test between Wales and the Boks will be given a lifetime ban from the Principality Stadium.
Did a timely – or untimely – pitch invader cost Wales victory in their Test against the Springboks in Cardiff on Saturday? Photo: Getty Images
The man who evaded security, and made his way onto the field, also interfered with the run of play just as Wales were looking to score what could have been a decisive try.
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The Springboks ultimately went on to win the match 23-18, with the pitch invader receiving a furious send-off from the crowd which saw him showered with beer.
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In a statement released on Monday, Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams confirmed the man – who is a registered club rugby player – will not be allowed to attend any further games at the stadium.
“Working collaboratively with South Wales Police we were able to identify the pitch invader who entered the field of play during Wales v South Africa at Principality Stadium on Saturday 6th November 2021.
“The WRU, Principality Stadium and South Wales Police condemns any behaviour of this kind, and the individual will be issued with a lifetime ban from buying any tickets from the WRU for rugby events held at Principality Stadium in future.
“We were deeply disappointed to discover the individual is a registered player and member of a rugby club; and the WRU are currently investigating this as a Code of Conduct breach.
“I’d like to thank the pitch side stewards and on pitch security team who acted swiftly stopping the individual and escorting them from the field of play.
“For more than 20 years this stadium has been revered across the world for its unique atmosphere and game day experience. It’s extremely disappointing to think that by recent events the traditional game day experience is under threat and that we might be forced to look at additional measures that will impact on the fan experience in future.”
To his credit, Wales’ New Zealand coach Wayne Pivac made no excuses after the Test, but did acknowledge that the incident was not what you want to see in Test rugby.
“We just saw a two 2 v 1 situation forming up … you don’t want to see that in a game,” he said.
“We were very disappointed that it happened, but there was nothing the match officials could do about that.”
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