Flyover ditched for third Springboks v All Blacks Test after viral Cape Town stunt
The viral flyover before Springboks v All Blacks game in Cape Town (via CPT Aviation) and an inset of the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
There will be no flyover before the third Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test match between the Springboks and All Blacks in Soweto, Airlink has confirmed.
This follows the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s [SACAA] announcement that it will investigate the viral flypast in Cape Town last weekend, ahead of South Africa’s 33-26 victory over New Zealand to level the series at one apiece.
Flyovers have become a regular occurrence before Springboks Tests, particularly against the All Blacks, with the first famously occurring before the 1995 Rugby World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Flyover for Springboks versus All Blacks cancelled
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’s roof.
“The 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,” a statement read.
“Subsequent to the flypast, the SACAA began ongoing compliance verifications and can confirm the following information to date:
“Airlink 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.
“In 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.
A view of the planes flying over the Cape Town’s DHL Stadium’s roof from the roof 😭😅 pic.twitter.com/oNCagiwKI5
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 30, 2026
“Following 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.
“The Regulator has begun its analysis process and has requested additional information from the operator to reach an informed position.
“A full report with recommendations will be shared with the operator once the assessment has been completed by the SACAA.”
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Airlink’s statement
SACAA added that Airlink had withdrawn its application for a third flypast that was planned for this coming weekend’s match at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht has since issued a statement in response, which read: “Airlink acknowledges the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (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’s formation flyby over the Cape Town DHL Stadium.
“Similarly, Airlink is grateful for the enthusiastic appreciation that many people have expressed regarding last Saturday’s Cape Town Stadium flyby as well as the valid questions and concerns raised. However, we never intended to become the news or upstage Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Be assured that safety was the first consideration at every stage of the process.
“As 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.
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“The flyby was performed safely and due to the unprecedented public interest it created, Airlink, on its own initiative, volunteered to provide the ‘black box’ digital flight data recordings to the SACAA to support its compliance review.
“Unlike 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 – measured in milliseconds – of every control input, power settings, altitude, horizontal and vertical speed, pitch attitude, acceleration and the visual flight patch along with numerous other readings.
“Due 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.
“Although 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.
“As a sponsor, it was not Airlink’s intention to detract from the rugby test matches between South Africa and New Zealand. We’re sorry to disappoint fans and supporters but safety comes first and we’re also certain the players will provide more than enough on-field excitement.”