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. 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.
What a game! @Springboks pushed the @AllBlacks hard but what an outstanding response. #NZLvRSA #RWC2015
— John Key (@johnkeypm) October 24, 2015
All Blacks move onto the #RWC2015 Final! #allblacks #NZLvRSA #NZL pic.twitter.com/32MB1lPVRT
— Mike Villalobos (@_mikevillalobos) October 24, 2015
What a win... They did it! Classy, composed and courageous #sohappy #AllBlacks
— Gemma Flynn (@GemmaFlynn22) October 24, 2015
Proud day to be a Kiwi ! Love you AllBlacks ❤️ #AllBlacks #WorldCupSemiFinal pic.twitter.com/GfxhUP6XAj
— RACHEL HUNTER (@rachelhunterx) October 24, 2015
I just aged considerably in the last two hours. Well done #AllBlacks!
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) October 24, 2015
Great performance ABs. Beijing's ecstatic. Looking forward to next weekend #NZLvRSA
— Andrew Little (@AndrewLittleMP) October 24, 2015
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.
The @allblacks reach their fourth #RWCFinal, & the world's all time leading points scorer is pretty happy with that: https://t.co/8oymFC7FHa
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 24, 2015
#NZL captain Richie McCaw explains just how tough it was to beat #RSA in the #RWC2015 semi-final #RSAvNZL https://t.co/OvEJ9Nss8Q
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 24, 2015
#RSA coach Heyneke Meyer: "I'm very proud but only a win is ever good enough for South Africa." #RSAvNZL #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/B92VhNfFCB
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 24, 2015
A photo capturing Sonny Bill Williams shaking the hand of Boks player Jesse Kriel, showed "what rugby was all about", fans said.
This photo show what rugby is all about #rugbyfamily #RugbyWorldCup #rugby #allblacks #Springboks #RWC2015 #respect pic.twitter.com/Hta9G3zLsM
— Ryan BIG FOOT gander (@ryangander) October 24, 2015
Nice bit of respect shown after a brutal #rwc2015 semi final. https://t.co/om8J7l7gni
— Studley High PE Dept (@studleyhighpe) October 24, 2015
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).
SMALL BLACK MEETS TALL BLACK - A HUGE handshake for #NZL Prime Minister @johnkeypm from Sam Whitelock #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/vnPRqd5Mbx
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 24, 2015
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.
Well done to the All Blacks it was a tight match! Bokke always makes me proud tho #RWC2015 #BokkevsKiwis #BOKKEforever
— Shifah Abrahams (@Shifah95) October 24, 2015
So proud of our @Springboks team. Well done, #Bokke. You're still heroes. #RWC2015 #RSAvsNZL #BokFanForLife https://t.co/xSbO5IotCs
— Michelle le Roux (@leeuwyfie) October 24, 2015
Extremely proud of the @Springboks! Gave it everything they had, in the end just beaten by a better side. Hold your heads high! #RWC2015
— SA Sports Blog (@sasportsblog) October 24, 2015
Well done, so so proud of you guysYou played a game of strength and courage. @Springboks #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/VtWrT7I97s
— Charmall (@Charmall) October 24, 2015
Well done to our #boks you did us proud and gave it your all. That's all we expect #proudlysa #RWC2015
— Refilwe Rakoma (@Refilwe_Rakoma) October 24, 2015
Some, however, made calls for coach Heyneke Meyer's leadership to be reviewed.
Oh and by the way, when the Springboks review the #RWC2015 Heyneke has to be dismissed. Not good enough.
— stuart hess (@shockerhess) October 24, 2015
This is how we feel right now #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/PUFCLH5s3R
— Suleman Modan (@Figjamfan) October 24, 2015
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.
#RSAvNZL The @Springboks bus departs Twickenham, their World Cup dream is over. #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/YmhlYOCOF6
— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) October 24, 2015
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.
Majority of the #RWC2015 organisers will be happy. A New Zealand vs Australia was what everyone probably wanted #Ratings #SSRugby #Bokke
— Radie van den Berg (@RadieVDB) October 24, 2015
As long as the All Blacks win, it will also give New Zealanders what they want too.
