South Canterbury rugby fans storm field during Heartland Meads Cup final, allegedly punch Whanganui players

South Canterbury fans invade the field and tussle with Whanganui players. Photo / Sky Sport

Fans stormed the pitch during a provincial rugby final in the South Island, South Canterbury supporters reportedly throwing punches at the opposition players.

It came after South Canterbury scored a try with five minutes left in the match to put Whanganui out of reach of the Meads Cup.

Around 50 fans, including South Canterbury’s mascot, invaded the pitch in celebration of their team’s try, but it soon turned ugly.

The fans began pulling in Whanganui players to their celebratory huddle, prompting some pushing and shoving.

South Canterbury fans invade the field and tussle with Whanganui players. Photo / Sky Sport

One Whanganui player can be seen being mobbed by their opposition’s fans.

The Herald understands punches were allegedly thrown by South Canterbury fans.

Utter ferals in the South Canterbury crowd. Coming on the field after SC scored a try and started punching the Whanganui players

— Sports Freak (@Sportsfreakconz) October 14, 2023

Whanganui Rugby chief executive Bridget Belsham said she was not in a position to comment on what happened during the Meads Cup final.

In a statement, a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson said: “NZR is aware of the incident in today’s Heartland Championship match and are working to understand from all parties what has occurred.”

Punches were allegedly thrown by South Canterbury fans. Photo / Sky Sport

The incident marred South Canterbury’s win of the Heartland Championship - for the third time in a row.

They beat Whanganui 40-30 in Temuka to lift the Meads Cup yet again.

South Canterbury won an amazing 31 straight games.