The Springboks have become rugby’s most sought-after live attraction, making current stadium ticket prices in the Republic a “bargain” for local fans, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane believes the standard R800 to R3 000 for tickets to watch the back-to-back world champions is excellent value compared to international costs.
He cites England versus Australia at Twickenham, where Category 4 tickets cost R1 800 – more than double South Africa’s cheapest option.
Keohane emphasises the Boks’ economic challenges and dismisses criticism of pricing as “contrived anger”, suggesting stakeholders could charge significantly more given demand levels.
He acknowledges financial realities for most South Africans, yet argues that SA Rugby deserves credit for maintaining R800 entry-level pricing when they could easily charge premium rates throughout.
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“Ticket prices in South Africa to watch the world champion Springboks are a bargain when compared to watching the world’s No 1 team when they play away from South Africa,” Keohane writes.
“The Springboks, since winning the World Cup in 2019, have been the most sought after live attraction in world rugby, bigger than the globally revered All Blacks in this period.
“To expect to watch them for the equivalent of a freebie is absurd.
“South Africans surely can understand that it can’t be an open-door policy on Springbok Test tickets because only a select grouping [and I am not talking race but financial standing] could afford these tickets.
“It is a reality of the country we live in and as much a reality of what it costs to watch the best rugby team in the world play.”
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