Even a late try to South African halfback Ricky Januarie did little to spoil the party atmosphere surrounding the All Blacks' Tri-Nations match against the Springboks at Carisbrook on Saturday.
The All Blacks suffered their first loss to the old enemy at the House of Pain, but the result barely seemed to matter to many in the mostly orderly and content crowd.
Most of the 29,126 fans ambled out of Carisbrook seemingly without a care in the world.
Perhaps they were heading for the "tent city" in the Octagon for a drink or two - several inner-city bars reported their highest turnover for the year.
Or maybe there just was not much to feel disappointed about.
After all, it took a piece of genius from Januarie to undo the All Blacks, and the fact the home side could have easily won the match muted any bitterness.
Police made 34 arrests, but said people were generally well-behaved.
A black wall surrounded the action at Carisbrook, with many getting into character by donning black or painting their faces.
Others, such as South African supporter Natalie Soames, from Durban, stood out.
She was dressed in a nurse's outfit and a Little Red Riding Hood overcoat.
The ensemble ensured she made the televised broadcast of the game.
Birthday boy JP Pietersen scored the only try in the first half and sections of crowd - the South African section at least - sang happy birthday to the 22-year-old.
It would not be Carisbrook without streakers.
One pasty chap made a dash for the field and was tackled short, but put up an epic struggle.
Despite the attentions of a burly security guard, he inched his way closer until he was able to touch a corner of the playing surface.
Spectators at the Neville St end of the terrace broke into spontaneous applause - but they should have kept their eyes on the game.
At the same time, at the opposite end of the ground, Januarie found some space, chipped ahead, regathered and helped seal a historic win for the Springboks.
