11 Sep 2009

Test fever hits Hamilton ahead of Tri-Nations

10:33 pm on 11 September 2009

Rugby Test fever has hit Hamilton this week. The All Blacks meet South Africa at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night for the decisive match in the Tri-Nations series.

South Africa need only one bonus point to take the trophy. The All Blacks must score four tries and get a bonus point to keep their chances alive.

The Springboks have not held the title for five years.

It is Hamilton's first big Test match and the stadium is full - 31,500 tickets have been sold, including 6000 in a temporary stand. It will be the largest crowd to date at Waikato Stadium.

The last time the Springboks were in Hamilton they did not get further than the changing rooms at Rugby Park. Their 1981 match against Waikato was cancelled after protesters invaded the pitch.