Daring jet fly-past over Springboks stadium sparks heated debate

Two passenger jets swept over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium just before South Africa’s match against New Zealand, passing above 56,000 rugby fans and igniting a debate over the limits of sports spectacle and aviation safety.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that the lead aircraft passed less than 15 metres above the stadium roof. The jet, painted in New Zealand All Blacks colours, flew at about 150 knots, or 275 km/h, before pitching up after clearing the arena.

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careful planning and rehearsal

A second aircraft, painted in South Africa’s Springbok colours, followed closely and passed through coloured smoke from the stadium’s pyrotechnics. The manoeuvres took place shortly before the Springboks faced the All Blacks.

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approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits

Airlink, the airline behind the fly-past, defended the operation. It said each aircraft carried a crew of three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety or technical officer. The airline described the flight as requiring “careful planning and rehearsal” and said it complied with the local aviation authority’s “approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits”.

The airline had promoted the display on social media before the match, telling spectators to “get your cameras ready”. The stunt drew both criticism and admiration online. South Africa has used passenger jets in stadium fly-pasts before, including during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, attended by Nelson Mandela. The Springboks went on to beat the All Blacks 33-26.

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get your cameras ready