Springboks fans at Twickenham described their 23-19 victory over Wales as heart-attack material as they watched South Africa come from behind late to win a roller-coaster World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
South Africans roared with pride and waved the national flag as the Springboks scored a winning try with just minutes to go, sending them through to the semi-finals.
“Our nerves are completely shredded. This was heart-attack stuff!” said Laurie Dippenaar, 67, from Johannesburg.
“My mouth is dry. It’s been an incredible day. It was absolutely nerve-shredding.
“It could have gone either way. The Welsh played brilliantly and it was one opportunist try that did it. Given Wales’s injuries, they were outstanding.”
Standing beside him, Adriaan Dippenaar, 32, added: “Wales turned us a lot. At the breakdown, Wales were brilliant and that almost cost us the match. Any game at this level is going to come down to the wire.
“After we lost to Japan, expectations were recalibrated. Now every Springbok is probably far more humble than we were at the start of the tournament, so we’ll take this.”
The sides strode out to fireworks and jets of flame, before stirring renditions of the national anthem of South Africa and “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”, followed by chants of “Wales! Wales!” from the fans in red.
Welsh supporters were in the majority among the 79,572 inside the home of English rugby, now without its national side as the England 2015 tournament goes through the knock-out stages.
Despite being in front for almost all of the match thus far, it was only in the 29th minute when South Africa fans sent a first chant of “Bokke! Bokke!” ringing round Twickenham.
But Wales fans were stirred into voice as the first half came to a close, with Biggar kicking a drop goal to give Wales a 13-12 lead at the interval.
– ‘Massive effort’ from Wales –
As supporters queued for a half-time lager, both sides’ fans were worried about the other team.
“Wales keep on stealing the ball. It’s the quarter-finals of a World Cup in which we lost to Japan, so we can’t be confident,” said Springboks fan Chris, from Cape Town.
Meanwhile Tom, a Londoner with a Welsh mother, said: “The score’s about right but Wales have got to keep their discipline.”
In a topsy-turvy second half in which the lead repeatedly switched hands, Welsh supporters broke out deafening renditions of the hymn “Cwm Rhondda” when they went ahead.
But the Springboks fans were on their feet in delight when captain Fourie de Preez touched down in the 75th minute.
And a few minutes later, they were celebrating once again as South Africa confirmed their place in the last four.
Wales supporter Ross, 38, from London said afterwards: “I think South Africa deserved it. Wales tired themselves out too quickly. They went to hard too early.”
Charlie Brook, 45, wearing a Wales top, added: “Wales put in a massive effort, but the Springboks just shaded it.
“Their try was coming. Wales just couldn’t hold on.
“Wales have come through the group of hell and have suffered so many injuries. To even come that close to beating South Africa is immense.”