Airlink jets fly low over Cape Town stadium before Springboks-All Blacks Test

Two Airlink passenger jets flew low over Cape Town's DHL Stadium on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in a dramatic pre-match spectacle before the Springboks faced the All Blacks, with flight-tracking data indicating the aircraft cleared the venue's roof by as little as 12.5 meters. The flyover, part of the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series, sparked widespread online debate about safety while continuing a storied South African rugby tradition.

The two specially branded Embraer E190 jets performed the low-level pass shortly before kickoff of the second Test in the four-match series. Airlink, the official domestic airline partner for the tour, confirmed the flyover on social media, stating it was part of its sponsorship role. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed one aircraft recorded a barometric altitude of approximately 50 feet, which, when corrected for local atmospheric pressure, placed it roughly 41 to 46 feet above the stadium's 164-foot-tall structure. This data fueled intense discussion online, with viewers sharing video angles that made the planes appear perilously close to the roof.

Aviation experts and commentators noted that camera perspective can significantly...