While many Cape Town rugby fans are still up in arms about the ticket prices for the Springboks’ Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks, Stormers CEO says Johan le Roux thinks “the prices were spot on”.
The host union has come under fire for their ticket prices on social media, with some fans paying R4,000 to watch the next episode of rugby’s greatest rivalry.
It was announced in May that tickets for the match will cost between R250 to R3,500 and will be conducted via a lottery because of the massive demand.
Sponsors were also allowed to sell “early bird” tickets, with some fans buying tickets via sponsors such as FNB for R4,000 a pop after panicking about the thought of missing out on the occasion because of the uncertainty around the lottery system.
Tickets were “sold out” quickly, as the Stormers said that they could have filled the stadium more than twice over.
𝐆![CDATA[]]>𝐞![CDATA[]]>𝐭 𝐭![CDATA[]]>𝐡![CDATA[]]>𝐞![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐞 𝐞![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐥![CDATA[]]>𝐲 𝐟![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐫 𝐚 𝐰![CDATA[]]>𝐨![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐥![CDATA[]]>𝐝-𝐜![CDATA[]]>𝐥![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐬![CDATA[]]>𝐬 𝐩![CDATA[]]>𝐫![CDATA[]]>𝐞-𝐦![CDATA[]]>𝐚![CDATA[]]>𝐭![CDATA[]]>𝐜![CDATA[]]>𝐡
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 3, 2024
🏉 Bok women in action
🎵 Multiple live music acts - Majozi, Aking, PHFat, plus four DJs
🍻 Plenty of bars
👪 Fun family activations
ℹ️ All the info https://t.co/Mg9sDou1I2 pic.twitter.com/7ZP8sIBrbI
But on Thursday, the host union released unsold tickets to those fans who were unsuccessful in the ballot on Ticketmaster. Those tickets were initially offered in a package deal that included a season ticket for the Stormers’ next United Rugby Championship campaign.
Sales were then opened to the general public later on Thursday. According to the Cape Argus, only tickets priced between R2,500 and R3,500 were for sale.
By early Friday evening, there were no more tickets for sale on the site.
The Cape Argus reported that Gumtree also had tickets for sale at exorbitant prices by scalpers trying to make a quick buck, and SA Rugby has warned against ticket scammers selling tickets that might not be valid on the day.
Le Roux defended the ticket prices, which is the most expensive in the country, saying that the scarceness of the this fixture in Cape Town, as well as the modern stadium contributes to the prices.
Cape Town has only hosted the All Blacks on five occations, and this will be the first Test between the two teams in the Mother City since 2017. Before that, the previous Test was in 2008 at Newlands.
"I think the pricing was spot-on," Le Roux told Sport24.
"The demand at the indicated price levels was through the roof, and we could have sold everything within minutes if we wanted to when we released in June.
"The reality is that our ground, with respect to the other venues, is a much more modern facility.
“Cape Town, as a destination, is on a different level in terms of tourists wanting to visit our city and bring a different element due to the location of the stadium, its layout and the city.
Get ready for a rugby showdown like no other! 🏉
It’s the homecoming match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium, and it’s set to be a spectacular clash of titans 🧬![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold#Springboks pic.twitter.com/uTqXv6EW3J
“We know there's a strong rugby-watching culture here, so we needed to capture the full value of a unique event.
“We’ve only seen the All Blacks here five times since readmission, so it’s a special occasion to see them in Cape Town.
“They play more in the Highveld than they do here, and it’s also the Cape Town Stadium’s first All Blacks Test.”
Meanwhile, the MyCiTi bus service will operate a free shuttle service on match day.
Buses will operate between the stadium MyCiTi stations and Civic Centre and Century City stations, while a shuttle will also transport ticket holders from UCT at Madiba Circle and the CTICC to the Green Point Park east gate.
All services will run from noon with the last free shuttle to depart the stadium at 9.30pm. On-street parking in the Cape Town CBD is available for free from 1pm.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has announced it will be extending its train services for commuters attending the Test match.
@JohnGoliath82