Springbok fans may be passionate, but many are also frustrated. Tickets for the July Test matches – including two clashes with Italy and one with Georgia – are officially on sale, and while demand remains sky-high, so are the prices.
Despite social media outrage over the “premium” cost of attending these fixtures, the reality is clear: stadiums are still expected to be packed.
Ticket Prices Climb, Fans Still Buy
The Bok season opener against the Barbarians on 28 June had tickets ranging from R250 to a jaw-dropping R3,000. For the upcoming July internationals, lower-tier tickets priced between R200 and R350 were quickly snapped up, leaving many fans stuck with options over R1,000—if they were lucky enough to get in at all.
With tickets for the Rugby Championship home fixtures set to go on sale on Friday, 13 June, expect the same scenario to play out again: long queues, limited affordable seats, and plenty of frustrated supporters.
Is It Worth It? A Look at Ticket Inflation
A deep dive by respected sports business analyst Cash N Sport sheds light on how much more fans are paying to watch the Springboks in person today.
Here’s what the data reveals:
- Top-tier Springbok tickets are now over 11 times more expensive than Bafana Bafana’s, and three times pricier than the Proteas’.
- In 2015, premium tickets maxed out at around R750.
- By 2022, seats for blockbuster games (like vs the All Blacks) soared past R1,500, and VIP options went even higher.
- Entry-level tickets have largely stayed in the R150–R300 range, but they’re now few and far between.
- Major Test matches are priced like international showpiece events, with many tickets sitting in the R1,000–R3,000 bracket.
A Premium Experience – But at What Cost?
There’s no doubt the Springboks’ global success—especially since 2018—has elevated their brand. Watching them has become a premium experience, and with that comes a steeper price tag.
But some fans are asking: how much is too much? Are South Africans being priced out of supporting their team live?
Adding fuel to the fire is the uncertainty around team selection. With the Boks expected to heavily rotate their squad this season, there’s a chance some supporters could pay top dollar only to watch a second-string side on the field.
Full 2025 Springbok Test Schedule (SA Time)
June–July Home Matches:
- 28 June: vs Barbarians – DHL Stadium, Cape Town – 17:05
- 5 July: vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 17:10
- 12 July: vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha – 17:10
- 19 July: vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – 17:10
Rugby Championship:
- 16 Aug: vs Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:10
- 23 Aug: vs Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town – 17:10
- 6 Sep: vs New Zealand – Auckland – 09:05
- 13 Sep: vs New Zealand – Wellington – 09:05
- 27 Sep: vs Argentina – Kings Park, Durban – 17:10
- 4 Oct: vs Argentina – London – 15:00
End-of-Year Tour:
- 8 Nov: vs France – Paris – Time TBD
- 15 Nov: vs Italy – Turin – Time TBD
- 22 Nov: vs Ireland – Dublin – 19:40
- 29 Nov: vs Wales – Cardiff – 17:10
