Springboks supporters attending Saturday’s blockbuster clash against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium can expect another spectacular Airlink flyover before kick-off.
Airlink is set to stage another formation flypast as part of its involvement with Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, following similar displays at Ellis Park and DHL Stadium.
The announcement comes just days after the airline’s dramatic flyover in Cape Town attracted worldwide attention and sparked a heated debate over aviation safety.
Airlink Set for Another Springboks Flyover
The Springboks will play their final home Test of the year at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with the iconic Soweto venue expected to be packed for another chapter of the South Africa-New Zealand rivalry.
Airlink, an official sponsor of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, has confirmed that another flyover is planned for the occasion.
The latest activation is likely to generate plenty of anticipation among supporters, particularly after footage from the Cape Town flypast went viral on social media.
Two Embraer E190 passenger aircraft, painted in Springbok and All Blacks colours, flew over DHL Stadium shortly before the match.
The dramatic footage quickly became a talking point, with some social media users questioning how close the aircraft appeared to be to the stadium.
Cape Town Flyover Sparks Safety Debate
The Cape Town display attracted considerable attention after flight-tracking estimates suggested that the lead aircraft passed approximately 12 to 14 metres above the stadium roof.
The striking visuals prompted concerns from some members of the public, but Airlink moved quickly to explain how the operation had been planned and conducted.
The airline said the flypast had been carefully rehearsed and carried out within safety parameters approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
According to Airlink, the aircraft were operated by highly experienced crews, with each plane carrying three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer.
The airline also said both aircraft’s recorded flight data confirmed that the operation remained within the approved altitude and speed limits.
Airlink Defends the Spectacular Activation
Airlink said the Cape Town formation flight required extensive planning because of the low-altitude nature of the operation and the aircraft’s speed.
The airline also acknowledged the concerns raised online while maintaining that the flypast was conducted safely and in accordance with the necessary aviation requirements.
The controversy nevertheless gave the activation enormous exposure.
Images and videos of the two aircraft flying above the stadium spread rapidly across social media, turning what was intended as a pre-match spectacle into one of the most talked-about moments surrounding the Test.
Aviation Expert Plays Down Concerns
Aviation expert Wouter Botes also weighed in on the debate, describing the flyover as an effective publicity exercise while acknowledging that he personally would not choose to fly at such a low altitude.
Botes nevertheless suggested that the operation appeared to have been properly planned and executed.
His assessment was that the public reaction had perhaps gone further than necessary given the planning and regulatory oversight involved.
FNB Stadium Flyover Could Become Another Viral Moment
Saturday’s flyover will now be closely watched.
Following the attention generated by the Cape Town spectacle, the FNB Stadium activation could once again provide Airlink with enormous visibility while adding another dramatic element to one of rugby’s biggest rivalries.
For Springboks fans, the aircraft display will form part of the build-up to another highly anticipated meeting with the All Blacks.
With FNB Stadium expected to provide an electric atmosphere, the combination of a packed stadium, a major Test match and aircraft flying overhead could create another memorable pre-match spectacle.
The big question now is whether the FNB Stadium flyover will be as dramatic — and as widely discussed — as the one in Cape Town.
The rugby rivalry is already intense. This weekend, the skies above FNB Stadium could add another dimension to the occasion.
