Port Elizabeth showed that when it comes to staging a big event, it does not have to stand back for any venue in South Africa.
The success of the Ironman World Championship and Saturday’s rugby Test between South Africa and Australia showcased all the best attractions Port Elizabeth has to offer.
What made the Springbok win even more special was that it stretched their unbeaten record at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium to six matches.
The game was played as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the great statesman Nelson Mandela, after whom the stadium is named.
The teams were playing for the Nelson Mandela Challenge Shield.
To honour his legacy, SA Rugby organised a special programme of prematch events to pay homage to Madiba.
As usual the anthem was sung with great gusto by the near-capacity crowd.
Several players and officials have mentioned that nowhere in South Africa is the national anthem sung with such enthusiasm as it is in the Bay.
It was a special moment for Zwide-born Siya Kolisi, who received a standing ovation from the fans when he led his troops out into battle for the crunch Rugby Championship showdown.
Although the championship was won by the All Blacks in the early hours of Sunday, the Bay Test has set the scene perfectly for next Saturday’s showdown against archrivals New Zealand at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.
With the World Cup looming next year, the Boks are hoping to build up a head of steam and coach Rassie Erasmus would like nothing better than a win over the old enemy who are grouped with South Africa for Japan.
The Boks have blown hot and cold this season and Erasmus will want his team to gain more continuity as the buildup to the Japanese showpiece gathers pace.
Thanks to the wonderful support shown by the Bay’s rugby-loving public, the city can look forward to hosting many more Test matches of this quality in future. There is no doubt the Bay has the capacity to put on a rousing show and the Test was a celebration for rugby and the city.