The mood is unrepentant at the Olenpark rugby stadium.
This is not only the headquarters of the Leopards Rugby Union in Potchefstroom, it is also the heartland of North West's loyal support for the Springboks as well as a centre of undivided passion for rugby.
It is also where Pieter van Zyl, the businessman who has earned infamy worldwide for tackling Irish referee Dave McHugh during Saturday's Tri-Nations match in Durban between South Africa and New Zealand, is the proud owner of one of only four private suites.
Despite his widely criticised savage tackle, which left McHugh's shoulder dislocated, Van Zyl's much-criticised invasion of the pitch has endeared him to many rugby fans in Potchefstroom.
Chris Botha, a provincial rugby development officer visiting Olenpark from Rustenburg on Monday, spoke to The Star in his personal capacity. He bellowed: "Thirty-seven penalties against 13? These referees are killing us. As a matter of fact, there were 45 000 others who wanted to do what Van Zyl did."
Phillip du Toit, a local referees development officer who was watching a practice session by members of the Leopards rugby team, said Van Zyl was actually a nice fellow.
He also tried to rationalise Van Zyl's behaviour, saying: "The penalty try that McHugh awarded against us was too harsh, I felt. I thought he could have at least given a yellow card. Piet's behaviour is one of those unfortunate things that shouldn't happen in rugby."
A top administrator at the stadium, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lambasted South African Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer's bid to ban Van Zyl for life from rugby stadiums.
"Why should he make a Hansie (Cronje) out of Piet?," said the official, who added: "Piet is a very nice oke. I know he's sorry for what he did."
Van Zyl's attorney, Bertie Grobler, said a press conference had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Rustenburg, when his client "will put the record straight".
Reacting to the question of how his organisation hoped to keep Van Zyl outside rugby grounds, Oberholzer said: "I hope he will be too ashamed to show his face at a rugby match."
Oberholzer banned Van Zyl from rugby grounds after he assaulted McHugh, and the rugby boss hopes the decision will be ratified at a board meeting on August 22.