Springbok coach Allister Coetzee paid tribute to the crowd at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after Saturday's series-clinching win against Ireland.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee paid tribute to the crowd at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after Saturday's series-clinching win against Ireland.

Coetzee, who is from the Eastern Cape – and will receive a hero's welcome when he visits his hometown, Grahamstown, on Tuesday 28 June – said: "We had an unbelievable week in PE… For me to have finished a final match [of a test series]in PE was really special."

"[There are] fantastic crowds in South Africa all over where we play, but PE was special [on Saturday night]."

Coetzee started his reign with a 26-20 loss to Ireland at Newlands, but redeemed himself with a 32-26 win at Emirates Airline Park, before rounding up the series with Saturday's 19-13 win. 

Port Elizabeth has always proved a happy hunting ground for the Springboks. Indeed, their last defeat in the city was as far back as 1974, when they lost 26-9 to the British and Irish Lions.

The Springboks have also won all four of their tests at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium since it was built ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

*Grocott's Mail will be covering Coetzee's visit to Grahamstown. To keep track of what's happening, like Grocott's Mail Sport on Facebook and follow @GrocottsSport on Twitter.

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