Ron Rutland cycled 43,000km to see South Africa’s opening match of the Rugby World Cup, and he couldn’t believe the show they put on for him

THIS rugby supporter went to unbelievable lengths over two years as part of a grand plan to see one thing — but it was all for nothing.

THERE are some fanatic sports fans in this world. Those who paint their bodies in their favourite team’s colours. Those who pay ludicrously high prices for terrible seats. Those who brave hail and snow to cheer on their last-placed side even when up against the competition frontrunners.

Then there’s Ron Rutland.

Ron Rutland is a diehard South African rugby supporter who planned a two-year trip so that his voyage would end at Brighton Community Stadium where he would sit down, have a beer and watch his beloved Springboks beat Japan in the Rugby World Cup.

The only problem is, that didn’t happen.

The former banker did all the hard work, covering 43,000km while cycling around Africa and Europe after leaving Cape Town in 2013, but when it came time for South Africa to hold up their end of the deal for just 80 minutes, they couldn’t do it.

What should have been a field of dreams for Ron Rutland quickly became the stuff of nightmares.

Japan produced the greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history to beat the Boks 34-32 on the weekend with a try after the buzzer, and Rutland couldn’t believe it.

“I was not expecting that. It was the biggest upset in rugby history and it felt like I was watching a movie, I just could not believe it what I had just witnessed,” said Rutland.

“I was absolutely gob-smacked. To be such a big fan and come all this way to see that was just surreal.”

While struggling to process what had unfolded in front of him, the 41-year-old was philosophical about South Africa’s loss.

“I realised that I had witnessed a bit of sporting history so it was a privilege to have been there,” said Rutland.

“And when I saw the Japanese fans in tears, I realised how much it meant for them.

“It has been an amazing experience...and despite the defeat it was incredible to watch the reaction.

“South African fans can, if I’m honest, be a little bit arrogant but they were applauding Japanese supporters in restaurants and in the street after the game.”

Rutland should become a motivational speaker for the South African team.

Rutland initially embarked on his grand adventure with plans to just cycle around Africa. But when he realised how long that would take, he worked out he could combine it with a trip to Europe to watch the World Cup.

He cycled across all but four countries in Africa and only missed a handful in Europe.

He raised money for the Laureus Foundation along the way, which uses sport to help the less fortunate. He named his journey after Nix “Lettie” Haynes, a friend of Rutland’s who died of cancer halfway through his trip.

Rutland intends to ride to all of South Africa’s remaining matches, but has a different plan for returning to Cape Town.

“I think I will fly home though,” said Rutland.

Originally published as Ron Rutland cycled 43,000km to see South Africa’s opening match of the Rugby World Cup, and he couldn’t believe the show they put on for him