Two passenger jets flew a low formation pass over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium moments before South Africa’s Test against New Zealand, alarming viewers who feared a crash. The flypast by a pair of Airlink Embraer aircraft was broadcast nationally and spread rapidly online; one onlooker called it “could’ve been catastrophic,” according to the New York Post.
How low was it?
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 logged the lowest barometric reading for one jet at 50 feet under standard pressure. Corrected for the local setting, that translated to roughly 205–210 feet above sea level, Cape Town Etc reported. With the stadium listed at about 164 feet tall, the outlet estimated the lead jet’s pass left roughly 41–46 feet between aircraft and roof. ABC News shared video of the pass on X, writing that the planes flew “less than 50 feet above the top of the stadium.”
Airline response
Airlink pushed back on safety concerns, saying the display broke no regulations and followed extensive preparation and practice runs, SABC News reported. The carrier said it conducted the flypast under the direction of the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Services and that flight data confirmed the aircraft stayed within approved altitude and speed limits set during rehearsal. The New York Post also noted that camera angles and pitch changes can make aircraft appear closer to structures than they are.
Who flew—and why here?
The lead jet was an Embraer E190 registered ZS-YAE in a green livery honoring the Springboks, according to Cape Town Etc. RugbyLad reported that Airlink is the official domestic airline of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and flew both squads between fixtures. The carrier staged a similar flyover before the series opener at Ellis Park, per RugbyLad.
Tradition—and the result
The New York Post linked the spectacle to a South African tradition dating to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 passed over Ellis Park before the hosts met New Zealand. RugbyLad reported that South Africa won Saturday’s rematch 33–26 to level the four‑Test series 1–1.
