SPECTATORS at the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day were taken back in time as a passenger airplane did a flyover ahead of the Springboks' match against Argentina at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Charlotte Maxeke Airbus A330-200 flew low over the stadium in a repeat of pilot Laurie Kay's 1995 Rugby World Cup flight over Ellis Park. The 90 000 capacity stadium was three quarters filled as both rugby and soccer fans watched the Springboks and Bafana Bafana share the same stage on the same day.
The same crowd that watched Bafana beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in a friendly match earlier in the day stayed behind for the Springbok clash.
While the stadium was not filled to capacity by the start of the Springbok match, it was one of the most diversified crowds at a Springbok match.
Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk joined the national rugby side on the field for the singing of the national anthem. Earlier in the day, the SA Legends team were defeated 2-0 by their Italian counterparts in the first match of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day.
The day's events, in recognition of the former president's contribution to sport in the country, comprise three major matches at the stadium.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.