The big-game atmosphere actually started on the train ride to the stadium. With every station we passed through, we picked up more and more supporters of each team - English and South African. There was an air of expectation on the train as the fans engaged in some good natured pre-match banter, arguing over which suspended player got the harshest punishment, how the teams would cope with their injury problems, and of course who would win.

Arriving at the stadium, there were people everywhere, most enjoying the open-air bars which surround the stadium and taking an opportunity for more banter. At least two groups of England supporters had formed brass bands and were performing impromptu concerts, to the delight of those around them as fans of both teams came together in song.

Inside the stadium I was struck by the sheer size of the stands. I have been to the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, which is a similar size, but the Stade de France was far more impressive in terms of atmosphere and grandeur.

'Perhaps the biggest cheer during the introductions was for Mike Catt, which I really do not understand. Back home he will be forever known as the man who was run over by Jonah Lomu in 1995'


I found my seat in the media section and struck up a conversation with some English fans who were surprisingly upbeat about their team’s chances, seemingly sharing Brian Ashton’s assessment that England could not perform worse than they did against the USA.

With kick-off still an hour away I decided to answer the call of nature and found an enormous queue, but waiting there proved to be an excellent opportunity to talk to some more fans. The South African fans around me were extremely confident, based on the three-game winning streak their team was on over the English. A couple also expressed their frustration at the racial quota system that is forced on their team, saying they would rather see black players picked on merit, adding that Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen are two such players.

As kick-off drew near, the stadium began to fill up, becoming a sea of green and white. The fans were entertained by footage of previous World Cups shown on the big screen and the English erupted in a mighty roar as Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal from 2003 was shown.

The teams were then introduced on the big screen and rival fans applauded politely while the opposition were cheered by their own fans. Perhaps the biggest cheer during the introductions was for Mike Catt, which I really do not understand. Back home he will be forever known as the man who was run over by Jonah Lomu in 1995.

When the players appeared in the tunnel, the stadium rose to its feet in unison and chants of “England, England” rang out around the ground. Next came the national anthems, and the rousing rendition of  'God Save the Queen' sung by the England supporters was enough to send shivers down the spine of this neutral observer.

While the Springboks stripped off their tracksuits, the England fans were in full voice, singing 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot'. Finally the game was upon us and Stade de France was lit up by hundreds of flash bulbs as Catt kicked off.

The England fans continued to chant and sing during the early stages of the game, but Juan Smith’s try at the 11-minute mark silenced them. As the game wore on, the English fans became less vocal and began to criticise their team’s performance.

While the Springboks fans may not have been as well organised with songs and chants, they were no less vocal in cheering their team on, raising the roof when Smith scored and letting out a collective “ooooh!” when Jacque Fourie lost the ball as he stretched out to score.

The second half saw the English singing once more, but once it became apparent that little had changed at half-time, they again went into criticism mode. With the result in no doubt 15 minutes from the end, those in white shirts began to exit the stadium, while those in green moved closer to the pitch. After the full-time whistle the Springboks took a lap of honour, saluting their fans, who in turn showed their appreciation as the heroes jogged by.

Outside the stadium there was very little banter between opposing fans, just congratulations for the South Africans and commiserations for the English. It appeared that the South Africans were heading out to celebrate, while the English would be drowning their sorrows.

I was most impressed by the good natured way that the fans interacted, the friendly way they drank together and their willingness to debate the finer points of the game they all loved.

Why do rugby fans seem so much better behaved than their football counterparts? Post a comment below or submit an article of your own to Sportingo.