The All Blacks’ four matches against South Africa’s United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises are yet to generate the expected ticket demand, with none of the fixtures close to selling out.
New Zealand begin their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Friday, 7 August, but organisers say sales for the opening match and the three games that follow have been disappointing.
The All Blacks will then face the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Tuesday, 11 August, the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 15 August, and the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday, 25 August.
Despite the arrival of one of rugby’s most recognisable teams, interest in the provincial fixtures has fallen well short of expectations. Thousands of supporters, known as the ‘Cape Crusaders’, welcomed the All Blacks to Cape Town, but that enthusiasm has not yet translated into a significant rush for tickets.
An SA Rugby spokesperson told Rapport that sales across the four matches remained weak.
“Sales range from modest to poor, so ‘sold out’ signs won’t be going up anytime soon,” the spokesperson said.
“We hope things pick up, but it has been a struggle so far.”
Tickets for the Stormers match are available for R650 and R1 350, with less than a week remaining before the teams meet at Cape Town Stadium.
The subdued response contrasts sharply with demand for the three-Test series between the Springboks and the All Blacks. The first two Tests, at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium, have already sold out.
However, tickets remain available for the third and final Test at FNB Stadium. Prices for that match range from R1 650 to R4 000, despite the long-standing rivalry between the two leading rugby nations.
SA Rugby will hope interest in the provincial matches improves as the respective kick-off dates approach. The organisation has attracted strong support for Springboks matches, but the lower demand for the tour games leaves the four hosting franchises facing a different challenge.
The All Blacks’ South African schedule includes seven matches in total: three Tests against the Springboks and four games against the country’s URC sides.
After completing the South African leg of the tour, New Zealand will play a fourth Test in Baltimore in the United States on 12 September.
