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Low flyover before kickoff
Two Airlink aircraft flew in close formation at low altitude over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium ahead of a Springboks match against New Zealand on Saturday, sparking criticism and debate after footage circulated online.
“"The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crew"”
The BBC said the jets roared over Cape Town’s DHL stadium as flares shot up before the start of the rugby match, and it reported that Airlink defended the manoeuvre as carefully planned with the support of aviation authorities.
Airlink told reporters that "The two aircraft were flown by highly experienced crew" and said the flights were performed with the "approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast".
Flight tracking cited by the BBC found that the lead aircraft passed less than 50 feet (15 metres) above the top of the stadium, while the InsideFlyer account said barometric readings showed 50 meters altitude and that GPS logged 925 feet.
The match ended with South Africa beating New Zealand 33-26, with the result described as leveling the series between the two teams.
Safety debate and approvals
EWN reported that Chris Martinus, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, said the flyover was "a little unwise" from an aviation safety perspective, even as he described it as dramatic and exciting.
The same EWN piece quoted Martinus warning that "You limit your options" if something goes wrong at very low altitude, and it added that he said the risk profile changes when tens of thousands of people are beneath the aircraft.
Airlink, through SAnews.gov.za, responded to public concern by saying "The flight demanded careful planning and rehearsal" and that the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided guidance, approval and support.
The Citizen also quoted Airlink saying the "flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms" the flights were performed within the Civil Aviation Authority’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits.
While the Citizen noted that South Africans defended the pilots with humour, it also said ministers backed Airlink, including Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson saying, "You don’t see headlines about our pilots being drunk and disorderly like you do in other countries."
What’s at stake next
The debate over the Airlink flyover’s risk was tied to the stadium crowd size, with EWN quoting Martinus saying, "If the risk is tiny for one person, multiply that by 58,000."
“"If the risk is tiny for one person, multiply that by 58,000."”
EWN also quoted Martinus saying he did not expect the same type of flyover to be permitted again, adding, "I don't really see that this is going to be permitted again," and it framed his concern around what happens if something unexpectedly goes wrong.
The Citizen reported that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie posted on X that it was "a well-known fact that we have the best pilots in the world, that was spectacular," and it said he urged a future flyover at FNB Stadium.
Looking ahead, the Read Rugby Union piece said the sides would meet in the third test next Saturday at the FNB Stadium, keeping scrutiny on whether aerial stunts continue throughout future fixtures.
Meanwhile, Airlink’s defence remained anchored in its claim that the operation was authorised and rehearsed, with the BBC repeating the airline’s message of "Planning. Precision. Performance" as the controversy continued after the match.