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Drunk fan tries to steal Cup
30/10/2007 07:47 - (SA)
Percivale Young
Cape Town - The Webb Ellis trophy - the world's most-coveted rugby prize - almost ended up in the wrong hands on Monday when a drunk council worker tried to nab the World Cup.
But Springbok wing Bryan Habana was in top form again as usual and he tackled the unidentified man to the ground to save the Webb Ellis Cup.
The unknown man was one of more than 50 000 cheering fans who converged on Newlands Stadium on Monday to congratulate the triumphant Springboks on their Rugby World Cup achievement.
But booze clearly got the upper hand when a man jumped the fence at Newlands to get his hands on the trophy.
Habana, who was waving at the crowd and holding the trophy aloft at the time, was quick on the uptake and saved the day with one of his textbook tackles.
The man was immediately removed by security officials.
Events security manager Charl Barnard confirmed late on Monday afternoon that the man had been released with a warning.
The incident did not dampen the spirit of the Cape's Springbok supporters in the least, however.
The city centre literally came to a standstill when the world champions took to the streets of the city for their much-anticipated victory drive.
Thousands of fans wanted to see their heroes in the flesh and to clap eyes on the golden cup.
Shops and businesses in the city centre had to close their doors for about two hours, as staff either ran after the Springbok bus or leaned from windows to get a glimpse of their heroes.
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