Leicester Tigers players and supporters officially welcomed the touring South Africa squad at a dinner in the Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road on Wednesday evening.

Fresh from their arrival in England, the Springboks squad enjoyed a first training session and then travelled to Welford Road to be greeted ahead of Friday’s historic match which officially opens the new stand.

World Cup winner Ben Kay acted as Tigers’ host for the evening, being joined by members of both squads, including Springboks skipper Chiliboy Ralepelle, for question-and-answer sessions as the guests enjoyed their meal.

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill was joined on stage by the tourists’ assistant coach Dick Muir just 48 hours before sending out their teams at Welford Road.