The scene outside Lord’s ahead of the WTC final ©Getty
It’s a curious sight at Lord’s, with England absent. On Wednesday morning, it felt as if every South African newcomer to cricket was converging on this iconic venue. There were a few Australians present, but the dominant presence was clearly that of the South African fans.
Many supporters arrived via the Jubilee Line, exiting the underground station and flowing onto Wellington Road. Among them was a stylish MCC member, standing out amidst a sea of Protea shirts, while another patron sported a brown Akubra hat and tattoos, exclaiming, “G’day mate.”
A group of louder Americans wondered about the crowd density, having missed the significance of the WTC final. The English excel at crowd control, an observation not lost on the bewildered tourists.
Among the attendees were many in bright yellow blazers, representing the Nicky Oppenheimer XI, a team linked to a wealthy mining mogul and cricket enthusiast. Oppenheimer has a dedicated cricket ground in South Africa where famous matches have taken place.
The South African presence in the crowd was overwhelming. With identifiable fans and a few non-distinct, it felt like this match had more South African supporters than many home or away matches in years. Kagiso Rabada remarked on the support as they dismissed Australia effectively.
While a handful of MCC members hinted at English presence, most of the crowd’s identity leaned towards South African. The atmosphere at Lord’s was a strange mix of reverence and unfamiliarity, underscored by the pervasive South African spirit and the recent football turbulence where Senegal triumphed over England.
