Are South Africans outpriced by their national team? Empty seats at Springboks-Barbarians game sparks outrage
“A far cry from those sell-out crowds that South Africans have become used to," says 947's Robert Marawa.
RUGBY | Springboks flag | DHL Stadium | 28 June 2025 | Image Credit: Ruth Smith
947’s Robert Marwa chats to sports journalist Ashfak Mohamed.
Listen below:
While the world-number-one Springboks had a stellar game against the Barbarians in Cape Town over the weekend, spectators couldn’t help but notice the many empty seats at DHL Stadium.
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“... there was that empty upper tier as well as those gaping empty seats… a far cry from those sell-out crowds that South Africans have become used to.”
– Robert Marawa
We really need to look into these ticket prices, cause look at those empty seats https://t.co/ZupxeIet88
— 120+1 (@harrydinhooo) June 28, 2025
Springboks tickets usually sell out within hours of going on sale.
However, none of South Africa's upcoming seven home games this year have, so far, sold out, sparking conversations around ticket pricing.
Mohamed says the pricing is 'not for the man in the street', but it is a difficult balancing act.
“The tricky thing is, where do you draw the line? You want the top players, and you need to pay them well enough. As much as you can say they must be loyal to the country, that also doesn’t pay the bills.”
– Ashfak Mohamed, sports journalist
“You’ve got to pay the bills somehow, but now, where do you pay them from? ... [fans] can’t see their World Champions because they are being priced out..."
– Ashfak Mohamed, sports journalist
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.