25 Oct 2015

Fans on both sides proud of their teams

9:53 am on 25 October 2015

Social media has been abuzz with excitement since the All Blacks defeated the Springboks in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup, but both New Zealanders and South Africans are proud of their teams.

All Black's centre Sonny Bill Williams shakes hands with South Africa's Jesse Kriel.

All Black's centre Sonny Bill Williams shakes hands with South Africa's Jesse Kriel. Photo: AFP

The All Blacks secured their place in the final with a 20-18 win against the Boks, going against their old enemy, but ultimately "coming out the right side", as captain Richie McCaw put it.

Rugby fans, authorities and commentators took to social media to express their delight and dismay (depending which side they backed) during and after the game ended.

All Blacks supporters, including Prime Minister John Key, Labour leader Andrew Little, New Zealand Black Sticks Gemma Flynn, model Rachel Hunter and Labour MP Jacinda Ardern expressed their delight at the outcome.

The official Rugby World Cup Twitter account showed snippets from interviews with captains and coaches summarising the game, including a classic video of All Black Dan Carter grinning like a child who has never been prouder of himself.

A photo capturing Sonny Bill Williams shaking the hand of Boks player Jesse Kriel, showed "what rugby was all about", fans said.

Another photo, this time from Rugby World Cup, didn't really say anything about the game - but it is funny to see. (I can't imagine these two ever being in a Fight For Life boxing match against each other).

South Africans were generally polite and respectful on social media, congratulating the All Blacks, while saying they were proud of the Boks, who were "still heroes" in their eyes.

Some, however, made calls for coach Heyneke Meyer's leadership to be reviewed.

Other fans described the game as a "brutal encounter", which resulted in a strong game from both sides but the All Blacks were "world class" and secured the win by bringing "tactics over experience".

South Africa's World Cup dream was over.

There's still one more game ahead of the final, as Australia take on Argentina tomorrow. But the outcome of that game has already been predicted by one South African, who said the final would give organisers exactly what they want.

As long as the All Blacks win, it will also give New Zealanders what they want too.

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