Despite the Springboks clinching a solid win over the Barbarians on Saturday, June 28, it wasn’t the match result that got fans talking—it was the noticeably empty seats inside Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
Now, South Africans are speaking out, and the message is loud and clear: Springbok ticket prices are simply too high.
Fans Speak Out on Social Media
With the cold and rainy Cape Town weather already putting a damper on the event, the sight of a half-empty stadium sparked plenty of debate online.
Many fans took to social media to vent their frustration, blaming “elitist” ticket prices for keeping everyday supporters away.
Sports broadcaster Cindy Poluta tweeted,
“At some point, SA Rugby will have to reevaluate ticket pricing for Springbok games. A half-empty stadium is not on.”
She wasn’t alone in her view. Other users chimed in:
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@MasakhaneC: “Elitist pricing for a national team is not on!”
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@davidson_home: “The normal man in the street cannot afford the prices for one. How do they take the family for the day? It’s absolutely sickening.”
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@wendsfrench: “We thought of going to next Saturday’s game at Loftus – for 6 of us it would have been R12,500. Too much!”
Just How Expensive Are the Tickets?
If you’re wondering whether these complaints are exaggerated, take a look at the current prices for the Springboks vs Italy game happening on 5 July at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
According to TicketMaster, tickets are going for between R1,250 and R2,500 per person.
That’s a steep ask—especially for families or everyday fans who just want to enjoy a national game live.
What SA Rugby Had to Say
Amid the growing criticism, The South African reached out to SA Rugby for comment.
The response? While they acknowledged that the game against the Barbarians had only reached 80% capacity, they pointed out that this particular match was hosted by a promoter, not SA Rugby directly.
They also emphasized that all home test matches last year were sold out, suggesting that this might be more of a one-off situation than a pattern.
Is Greed Ruining the Game-Day Experience?
For many fans, though, the explanation isn’t good enough.
There’s a growing sense that rugby is becoming inaccessible to the very people who support it most.
Calls are increasing for SA Rugby to rethink its pricing strategy—especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
Whether you’re a die-hard Springbok supporter or a casual fan hoping to catch a live game with your family, the message is simple: make the game more affordable for all South Africans.
Should Springbok Ticket Prices Be Reconsidered?
What do you think—are ticket prices getting out of hand, or is it just a matter of supply and demand?
