A ‘MUG’S’ GAME: Springboks ticket strategy leaves fans frustrated

Fans are reeling after additional tickets were made available for the highly anticipated first clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks, despite it being advertised as sold out.

With just days to go before the highly anticipated first Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks, additional tickets were released ranging from R850 to R4,000, despite the game seemingly being sold out.

This is the first of four major Tests between the nations for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour and takes place this Saturday, 22 August, at Ellis Park. The tickets were reportedly released on Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning between 1,000 and 2,000 tickets were still available, according to figures reported by News24.

The late release and high prices have once again put South African Rugby’s (Saru) ticketing strategy under the spotlight, with fans already questioning the affordability of Springbok Tests and the impact that has on stadium attendances.

As early as 27 June, the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’s official Instagram page posted a graphic listing ticket availability for the four major Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks.

While tickets remained available for the third Test at FNB Stadium, which takes place on 5 September, and the fourth Test at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September, both Ellis Park and Cape Town were clearly marked as “Sold Out”.

Daily Maverick, however, cannot find any record of Saru specifically saying the tickets were sold out.

According to News24, a Saru spokesperson said the additional tickets that were made available this week came as a result of “commercial partners who have not taken up their full allocation”.

A Saru spokesperson further explained to Daily Maverick that the general access tickets had sold out, while the tickets now available had been blocked out for commercial partners who had not taken up their option.

“The general access tickets (i.e. publicly available tickets) were sold out. The ones now available are tickets that were blocked out for commercial partners who have now not taken up their option,” the spokesperson said.

Partners receive a free-of-charge allocation as part of their sponsorship, as well as an option on the “right to purchase tickets”, said Saru, but could not provide a specific breakdown of the allocation, citing commercial sensitivity.

What is further doused in uncertainty, however, is the Cape Town Test.

According to a source within Saru, about 3,000 tickets remain available for the match at Cape Town Stadium on 29 August.

However, attempts to buy tickets through the Ticketmaster link on Saru’s website are unsuccessful. While the site does not explicitly state that the match is sold out, no seats can be selected on the seating plan and there are no tickets available to purchase.