Boeing, Boeing, gone! Ellis Park airplane rolls back the years to 1995

It may not have been the result they wanted, but the 60 000-plus Springbok fans in attendance at Elis Park on Saturday were treated to a special night.

The Boks went down 35-23 in a thrilling Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks, but from the anthems through the to the final whistle, the Johannesburg crowd gave a reminder of why this venue is considered by so many as the spiritual home of Springbok rugby. 

There was even the iconic Boeing 747 flying over the stadium twice before kick-off in a moment that reminded of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at the same venue when the Boks lifted their first Webb Ellis Cup. 

Thank you to everyone who came out, the atmosphere was out of this world," Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi said after the match, paying respect to the crowd.

"We're sorry we couldn't pull it through today."

You can relive the moment the plane flew over the stadium and the anthem by watching the videos included. 

The "World Cup final plane" (circa 2022) @Sport24news pic.twitter.com/3OfcuQzr00

A full Ellis Park! Definitely a dream come true ???? pic.twitter.com/PVn7EskEGC