Two passenger jets performed a dramatic flyover just feet above the roof of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium during a rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. The event drew cheers from an estimated crowd of around 56,000 people who watched the aircraft pass directly over the field. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 said the lead jet flew as low as forty-one to forty-six feet above the stadium roof. The second jet passed through a cloud of pink dust kicked up by the stadium’s pregame show. A video posted by Airlink showed the first jet pulling up slightly as it passed precariously close to the outer edge of the curved stadium roof. Airlink, which sponsored the match, said the flyby was conducted according to safety regulations and was carefully planned. The airline reported that each jet carried three senior crew members including a commander, co-pilot, and safety officer. The jets were not carrying any passengers during the stunt.
Airlink stated that the flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed the operation stayed within civil aviation safety limits for speed and altitude, according to the Boston Herald. The airline also said it had submitted black box data to the civil aviation authority for review. The aviation authority has not yet issued a public statement but plans to release one later.
This type of flyby is part of South African rugby tradition, dating back to the 1995 World Cup final. However, this weekend’s flyby was especially low and dramatic, drawing global attention after being shown on broadcast coverage.
Aviation experts questioned whether the margin for error in such a maneuver was too small. Chris Martinus, president of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association South Africa, said the flight path looked uncomfortable. He described how the lead jet appeared to dodge over the roof and then climb above it on both sides.
Australian aviation consultant Keith Tonkin warned that Embraer jets were not built for low-level flight like this. He added that such a stunt could set a dangerous precedent for future events. Tonkin also noted the risk of turbulence or bird strikes at such low altitudes.
The event took place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, before a second test rugby match between the Springboks and All Blacks. Social media erupted with reactions to the flyby after it was broadcast live during the game, according to a report from The Associated Press. Airlink acknowledged concerns raised online and emphasized that the stunt had been well rehearsed, ABC News reported. The jets traveled at around one hundred fifty knots during the maneuver, which is about two hundred seventy-eight kilometers per hour or one hundred seventy-two miles per hour. Airlink said that the flight required careful planning and preparation to navigate at low altitude.
IMAGE: Yevgeny Pashnin / Wikimedia Commons (GFDL 1.2)