{"id":1184004,"date":"2026-09-03T09:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1184004\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T09:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:37:14","slug":"airlink-ditches-flyover-for-third-springboks-v-all-blacks-test-after-viral-cape-town-stunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1184004\/","title":{"rendered":"Airlink ditches flyover for third Springboks v All Blacks Test after viral Cape Town stunt"},"content":{"rendered":"

There will be no flyover before the third Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry Test match between the Springboks<\/a> and All Blacks in Soweto, Airlink has confirmed.<\/b><\/p>\n

This follows the South African Civil Aviation Authority\u2019s [SACAA] announcement that it will investigate the viral flypast in Cape Town last weekend, ahead of South Africa\u2019s 33-26 victory over New Zealand to level the series at one apiece.<\/p>\n

Flyovers have become a regular occurrence before Springboks<\/a>\u00a0Tests, particularly against the All Blacks<\/a>, with the first famously occurring before the 1995 Rugby World Cup meeting between the two nations.<\/p>\n

Flyover for Springboks versus All Blacks cancelled<\/p>\n

However, the one at Cape Town last weekend made worldwide news due to how low one of the two planes flew over the DHL Stadium, with estimates suggesting that it was just 15 metres above the venue\u2019s roof.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) can confirm that it is looking into the flypast that took place on Saturday 29 August 2026 ahead of the international rugby fixture between the Springboks and the All Blacks teams,\u201d a statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cSubsequent to the flypast, the SACAA began ongoing compliance verifications and can confirm the following information to date:<\/p>\n

\u201cAirlink submitted three applications for flypasts related to the rugby matches of which the flypast under discussion is the second of the three applications. The applications were submitted in line with the regulatory provisions governing non-passenger or cargo-carrying flights conducted in terms of the provisions of Part 91.06.32. Following the SACAA approval, the first flypast took place on 22 August 2026 in Johannesburg, and the second one took place on 29 August 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn relation to the second flypast, the operator submitted the application with supporting documentation applicable to such operations. The necessary processes including the practice flight in a simulator in preparation for the Saturday flight and a safety briefing was conducted ahead of the operation as required by the regulations. This was approved by the Regulator, in line with the requirements for Special Air Events.<\/p>\n

All Blacks legend: Why Dave Rennie is right and Rassie Erasmus wrong after Springboks boss\u2019 X-rated rant<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

A view of the planes flying over the Cape Town\u2019s DHL Stadium\u2019s roof from the roof \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude05 pic.twitter.com\/oNCagiwKI5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cFollowing various discussions in the media relating to the events of the past weekend, the SACAA initiated compliance verifications, engaged the operator, obtained the Flight Data Recording downloads as well as other additional requirements.<\/p>\n

John Smit\u2019s \u2018boggles my mind\u2019 reaction to Greatest Rivalry scrum spat and his \u2018gut instinct\u2019 prediction about the \u2018Test that decides the series\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Regulator has begun its analysis process and has requested additional information from the operator to reach an informed position.<\/p>\n

\u201cA full report with recommendations will be shared with the operator once the assessment has been completed by the SACAA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n

Airlink\u2019s statement<\/p>\n

SACAA added that Airlink had withdrawn its application for a third flypast that was planned for this coming weekend\u2019s match at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.<\/p>\n

Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht has since issued a statement in response, which read: \u201cAirlink acknowledges the South African Civil Aviation Authority\u2019s (SACAA) update on the support it is providing in reviewing the flight data and all relevant information relating to the planning, preparation and production of last Saturday\u2019s formation flyby over the Cape Town DHL Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimilarly, Airlink is grateful for the enthusiastic appreciation that many people have expressed regarding last Saturday\u2019s Cape Town Stadium flyby as well as the valid questions and concerns raised. However, we never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry<\/a>. Be assured that safety was the first consideration at every stage of the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs with all flybys we have conducted, it demanded careful planning, rehearsal and the authorisation, support and guidance of the (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services to ensure it was performed safely. Both aircraft were flown by crews comprising three senior captains (representing over 75,000 combined flight hours of experience) operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety\/technical officer. Each pilot holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the highest level of commercial pilot qualification.<\/p>\n

Kieran Read: \u2018People would say Rassie Erasmus has always lost his head\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe flyby was performed safely and due to the unprecedented public interest it created, Airlink, on its own initiative, volunteered to provide the \u2018black box\u2019 digital flight data recordings to the SACAA to support its compliance review.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike public flight tracking mobile apps that rely on rudimentary satellite positioning information, the DFDRs on modern commercial jetliners are sophisticated devices able to trace over a thousand parameters and data points to present a precise and complex picture \u2013 measured in milliseconds \u2013 of every control input, power settings, altitude, horizontal and vertical speed, pitch attitude, acceleration and the visual flight patch along with numerous other readings.<\/p>\n

\u201cDue to the complexity, the number of parameters and other factors to be examined, it is unrealistic to expect immediate feedback and recommendations from the SACAA. Airlink is, and will continue to support the SACAA with its review process.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough we have also heard the widespread enthusiasm for a flyby at FNB Stadium this weekend, the forecast weather points to unfavourable conditions for a safe formation flyby. It is on this basis that we withdrew the application for a flyby this Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a sponsor, it was not Airlink\u2019s intention to detract from the rugby test matches between South Africa and New Zealand. We\u2019re sorry to disappoint fans and supporters but safety comes first and we\u2019re also certain the players will provide more than enough on-field excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0<\/b>All Blacks hero gives Greatest Rivalry verdict on \u2018confident character\u2019 Ruben Love and explains how \u2018no secret\u2019 Dave Rennie era is \u2018hugely different\u2019 from Scott Robertson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n