TWO tribes from proud sporting nations met in the North-East on Saturday as Newcastle hosted its first of three Rugby World Cup games.

Gavin Havery joined the crowds.

FANS from both sides chatted amicably, spilling from city centre pubs in their nation’s colours, as the region joined in the world’s biggest sporting event of the year.

More than 50,000 Scottish and South African supporters were inside St James’ Park, but many had also come to Newcastle just to soak up the incredible international carnival atmosphere.

The Northern Echo:

Spingboks, who had travelled across the globe to be there, were delighted to see a pantomime Loch Ness monster on St James Boulevard and proud Scots in their kilts and Willie hats with ginger wigs showing beneath a tartan bonnet.

Outside the ground the sound of bagpipes could be heard and inspired patriotic cheers of 'Scot-land, Scot-land, Scot-land'.

Contract worker Stuart Peterson, 35, from Dumfries and Galloway, said: "Ï love the fact this is a Scottish event against South Africa in England. It is really putting on the Geordie folk though as they have been inundated with us. It is a real pleasure to be here. The Geordie atmosphere is the best in England."

A group of old friends from the Highlands who moved away for work used the event as an excuse to meet up.

Engineer Brendan Faulk, 25, who now lives in Glasgow, said: "This is my first Rugby World Cup game. It does not come about very often and supporting the nation is the pinnacle."

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Lawyer Robert Keast, 26, who now lives in London, said: "Ït is great to be able to meet up with my pals in Newcastle. There are an awful lot of South African fans though."

South African-born Steven Cunningham, 30, who lives near Glasgow, appeared to have a foot in both camps as he came wearing a Springboks shirt and a kilt.

The validation engineer said: “Ït is interesting coming to watch the Springboks and living in Scotland. It is not that often we get to watch them. There is a buzzing atmosphere and I am really looking forward to it."

For many visiting South Africans, their UK trip was a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, planned for years, with additional travelling bolted on to the sporting tournament.

Husband and wife Cole and Joleen Wilson arrived in the country on Thursday after flying into London from Durban via Dubai.

After the rugby they plan to tour Scotland and the Lake District before heading back to their consultancy jobs.

Mr Wilson, said: "This is my 30th birthday present and it is a dream come true. I have always wanted to come to a Rugby World Cup and I did not think it would happen. It is something we will probably never do again. There is an incredible atmosphere."

His brother-in-law, Richard Flanders, 32, also from South Africa but who lives in London, said: "South Africa is a proud rugby nation and it is the equivalent to football over here. I have been really looking forward to it for a long time."

Inside the ground, the atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation ahead of kick-off.

There was a lovely moment when images of the late great South African president Nelson Mandela were shown on the big screen as he was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Former Spingboks captain Francois Pienaar, who famously lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup on home soil in 1995 and worked closely with Mandela, received the Hall of Fame cap in a special ceremony before the match.

World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Nelson Mandela was instrumental in turning Rugby World Cup 1995 into a momentous occasion that united the South African nation through the power of sport.

“By supporting the Springboks so passionately and publicly on their way to victory, Mandela helped to change attitudes, soften hearts and convince minds of the right course of history for his country to take and, in the process, became a wonderful example to us all.”

What followed was thrilling game of rugby with some great tries and goal kicking, as well as crunching tackles and individual flair with South Africa winning 34-16.

Many spilled out afterwards into the Fanzone, a dedicated outdoor 4,000 capacity rugby viewing arena with a 60sqm screen, catering and mobile bars for England’s humiliating World Cup exit after losing to Australia 33-13.

The city is now looking forward to welcoming the New Zealand All Blacks for their clash with Tonga on Friday, before Scotland are back St James’ Park for their group game against Samoa on Saturday.

England’s World Cup campaign might be over, but the international party for the North-East has only just begun.