As excitement builds for another clash between the Springboks and the Wallabies this weekend, the focus isn’t only on the rugby.
Instead, many South Africans are talking about the jaw-dropping price of tickets at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium — with some seats going for as much as R4,000.
Tickets Still Sitting Unsold
Despite the hype around the Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, August 23, a large chunk of tickets remains unsold.
Seats priced between R1,750 and R3,500 are still available, leaving fans frustrated that the stands might look worryingly empty, much like the scenes seen at Ellis Park earlier this year.
Fans Vent on Social Media
On TikTok, supporters have been outspoken about their disappointment.
One user, @jaydencollison1, slammed the pricing as “a disgrace,” pointing out that no tickets under R1,500 were left.
He argued that this locks out middle- and lower-income households — the very families whose children look up to the Springboks as heroes.
For many, the dream of watching their rugby idols live feels completely out of reach.
Radio Host Joins the Backlash
It’s not just fans online who are pushing back. CapeTalk presenter John Maytham also weighed in, saying he would never pay R4,000 for a single match ticket.
He explained that, for that price, he’d rather watch the game at home — with no traffic, parking hassles, or stadium chaos, all while enjoying every camera angle on a big screen.
Maytham admitted he’d consider paying around R1,250, but at the current prices? “Never gonna pay that,” he declared.
Why the Steep Prices?
So why are tickets in Cape Town so much more expensive? Stadium officials argue that it comes down to a few factors:
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The stadium’s modern, world-class facilities.
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Limited ticket availability paired with high demand.
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Cape Town’s growing reputation as a global tourist destination.
While these reasons may explain the pricing, they do little to soften the blow for loyal fans who feel priced out of supporting their team in person.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time frustration has flared over DHL Stadium’s test match prices, and unless something changes, it likely won’t be the last.
For now, the Springboks may run out onto the field in front of more empty seats than anyone would like to see — a sight that feels increasingly common in South African rugby.
