Ellis Park Springboks-All Blacks Test tickets remain from R1,650

More than 1,000 tickets remained available for Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks Test at Ellis Park as of midday on Wednesday, 19 August. The cheapest seats were priced at R1,650, while other options cost R2,850 and the most expensive reached R4,000.

The match had previously been regarded as sold out, but tickets were returned to sale ahead of the opening Test in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:10 at Ellis Park.

Ticket costs have been a major talking point during the All Blacks’ South African tour. The series opener between the Stormers and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium drew 47,130 spectators, below the venue’s 55,000 capacity, with tickets priced between R650 and R1,350.

The Sharks’ match against the All Blacks at Kings Park attracted 14,759 people. Around 25,000 tickets had reportedly been sold for that game, but cold and wet conditions were also linked to the smaller attendance. The Bulls’ meeting with New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld brought in 30,930 spectators at the 50,000-capacity venue.

The availability at Ellis Park comes despite the attention surrounding the fixture and expectations that it would sell out. The second Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium is sold out, while tickets remain available for the third match at FNB Stadium on 5 September, also ranging from R1,650 to R4,000.