SA Rugby has issued a formal rebuttal to media reports it describes as 'erroneous and misinformed' regarding ticket sales for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson told Rapport the union hoped to reach the historical average attendance against England in South Africa — 91% of Ellis Park's 60,000 capacity. That comment followed widespread reporting that only 21,000 tickets had been sold as of last Wednesday, with prices on certain categories subsequently reduced from R950 to R650.
In a statement issued Friday morning, SA Rugby directly contradicted those figures. "Predictions that the attendance would be little more than 21,000 were entirely erroneous and misinformed," the statement read. "Assertions of lack of interest are unfounded and not supported by the actual sales data."
The union acknowledged broader economic pressures, with the spokesperson referencing the financial impact of the conflict in Iran on consumer spending, and noted that tickets are simultaneously on sale for four Tests and two provincial matches against the touring All Blacks — a factor likely competing for supporter spending.
Tickets remain available on Ticketmaster, ranging from R650 to R3,000.
Saturday's match also marks a personal milestone for Rassie Erasmus, who takes charge for the 54th time as Springbok head coach, drawing level with Jake White's record for most Tests in the role. Erasmus holds a 75.5% win rate across his tenure — ahead of White's — and has accumulated 40 wins, four more than White and eight more than Heyneke Meyer. Against England specifically, he has won four of six Tests in charge.
It is the first time England have toured South Africa since 2018.