Back in 2016 there were some very, very ugly scenes at the University of Free State, with violent clashes resulting in a match between Shimlas and Madibaz being called off.

If you require a jogging of the memory you can see those videos here, but let’s move onto what happened last night in Port Elizabeth.

The Varsity Cup rugby match between Maties and Madibaz was called off eight minutes into the second half, with members of the crowd storming the pitch. Details below via The Herald:

The trouble started when protesters tried to storm one of the VIP boxes where Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids had been seen before kickoff.

One of the protesters grabbed the stadium announcer’s microphone and shouted “Viva Viva”, which elicited roars of approval from the crowd…

Chairs were then thrown onto the field and players and referee Paul Mente led the players off the field.

One of the protesters demanded to know why white men were videoing black protesters. He then stormed into the media area and slapped a woman in the face before being thrown out.

A small band of security officials tried to keep the big group of protesters at bay, but they were hopelessly outnumbered.

Insults were traded and a fist-fight erupted at the entrance to the VIP box. Bottles were thrown and fights broke out between the protesters and security personnel.

At the time that the match was abandoned, Maties were leading 19-0, but there really were no winners in this encounter.

Firstly, here’s one of the protesters addressing the crowd, via this tweet:

pic.twitter.com/UF0vQ2muwt

— Ibhuda yomthetho (@Kwanele_Yokwe) March 12, 2018

Another angle, via this tweet, shows one of the team’s mascots coming to blows with a man around the 50-second mark:

#FNBVarsityCup11 pic.twitter.com/oGCR5Tp2DF

— Sesethu Gqomo (@Ms_Gqomo) March 12, 2018

Some of the ugliest scenes come from clashes between security and those in attendance, with these two videos showing just how inflamed emotions were.

Via this tweet, we can see the security being assaulted and then heading down the stairs:

Blykbaar by Maties teen Madibaz varsity cup game vanaand gewees pic.twitter.com/eVrhujYBWu

— Johan Roets (@SitDaaiInJouPyp) March 12, 2018

Another angle on when those security personnel made their way down the stairs, posted by The Herald:

Police have arrived at NMU after chaos erupted at the match between Madibaz and Maties. According to reports from the scene, SASCO students are allegedly protesting against the lack of transformation in sports. The game has been cancelled.

Video: George Byron pic.twitter.com/E63Mwd8ZLT

— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldPE) March 12, 2018

SA Students Congress regional secretary Noxolo Koko denied that Sasco members had been involved in inflaming the situation:

“Students were involved. It is unfortunate that they chose violence, but I understand that they are frustrated,” Koko said.

She said the frustration stemmed from NMU’s poor performance. “We have the best training facilities [and] the best coaches, but still the team is underperforming.”

Ja, I’m not sure the frustration here stems from the team’s poor performance.

You’d have to say that it’s not as very good look, and the anger on campuses around the country shows no signs of subsiding.

[source:herald]