There was mob hysteria at Port Elizabeth airport yesterday morning when a crowd of 2000 All Blacks supporters swamped the visitors when they arrived for the Sunday morning (NZ time) Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The All Blacks were clearly overwhelmed by the scaleand emotion of the heroes' welcome they enjoyed. Throngs of fans in All Blacks regalia did impromptu haka and chanted "All Blacks, All Blacks" as the players struggled through the arrivals hall to their bus.
Sonny Bill Williams and Ma'a Nonu were just about swept off their feet by frantic autograph hunters.
If the Boks thought the stories of this being another "home" test for the All Blacks were exaggerated, they are in for a rude awakening come the weekend. The local newspaper, The Herald, last week predicted All Blacks supporters could dominate the sold-out stadium after the 45,600 tickets were quickly snapped up.
The New Zealanders are playing their first test in the Friendly City since a 14-3 defeat on the ill-tempered 1970 tour, which the home team narrowly won to secure the series.
The visitors, keen to cash in on their fanatical support base, shrewdly invited their local fans to watch yesterday's recovery session at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
