Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie addresses Springbok ticket pricing at the Budget Vote on the 15th of July 2025. Image: SA News.
(The Post News)– Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie has called for Springbok ticket prices to be reduced, saying they are unaffordable for ordinary South Africans.
Speaking after delivering his department’s budget speech in Parliament on 15 July, McKenzie announced that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is engaging stakeholders to ensure Springbok events are more accessible to the average citizen.
To address the accessibility issue, McKenzie revealed that the department has already launched several initiatives. These include distributing free tickets to die-hard fans who cannot afford them and partnering with breweries to expand BokTown fan parks, which are dedicated public viewing areas designed to create an immersive match-day experience.
The sports minister’s comments come as the Springbok team gears up to defend their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title. The Boks are set to face Australia at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 August, with tickets priced from R1,050 to R4,000 on Ticketmaster.
The second match will take place on 23 August at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, where ticket prices range from R1,750 to R4,000. These prices have drawn criticism from supporters, with some describing them as “too much” and even “elitist,” as it locks out some of the working-class supporters.
McKenzie has emphasized the importance of making national sports more inclusive for all, stating that “Springbok is a national essence” and therefore ticket prices “have to come down.”
journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net
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