FNB’s draw in Soweto highlighted — at what cost to other cities?
Almost 86,000 supporters filled FNB Stadium in Soweto for the Springboks’ third Test against the All Blacks, creating an electric atmosphere despite warnings of severe weather and complaints about high ticket prices and traffic. Reporting from the match said the crowd cheered, performed Mexican waves and chanted “Scrum! Scrum! Scrum!”, a refrain that Bok scrum coach Daan Human had said he dreamed of.
The turnout shows the commercial and sporting power of FNB Stadium and confirms why national organisers favour large-capacity venues. But the concentration of Tests in Gauteng this season — with four Springbok Tests played in the province — has prompted questions about fairness to other host cities and the distribution of rugby’s economic benefits across the country.
Who missed out?
According to reporting on the match, several major centres were left without a Test this season. Durban, Gqeberha, Mbombela and Bloemfontein all went without Springbok Test matches, even though some of those cities’ stadiums have hosted Tests in previous years.
- Fans in Soweto enjoyed a high-profile fixture at a venue that can accommodate large crowds.
- Other provinces lost out on potential gate revenue, local spending and the tourism boost that accompanies a Test match.
- SA Rugby must balance commercial returns with the national interest of rotating Tests around the country.
“The vibe at FNB Stadium was electric,” the reporting said, but it also questioned why so many Tests landed in Gauteng while other cities were overlooked.
Capacity and context
One practical reason for repeat bookings at FNB is capacity: the stadium can host far more spectators than many other provincial venues, which translates into larger ticket revenue. The reporting noted relative stadium sizes when arguing the financial case for Johannesburg.
| Venue | Reported capacity / range |
|---|---|
| FNB Stadium (Soweto) | Almost 86,000 in attendance at the Test |
| Bloemfontein, Mbombela, Gqeberha venues | Between 42,000 and 46,000 seating capacity (reported) |
| Kings Park (Durban) | 52,000 seating (reported) |
Local impact in Soweto
For Soweto residents, an FNB Test carries immediate effects: large crowds can boost local traders, taxi and minibus operators, and informal vendors, while also straining transport and public safety systems. The reporting mentioned traffic problems synonymous with the stadium and a biting cold wind on the day, yet attendance remained high.
City and provincial authorities must manage these trade-offs. Larger attendances bring more spending into the local economy, but they also require coordinated traffic management, policing and public transport solutions so residents are not left dealing with long delays or safety concerns.
Broader questions for SA Rugby
Beyond Soweto, the match raises strategic questions for SA Rugby about scheduling and objectives. The reporting highlighted that a later series Test will be played in the United States to build support ahead of the 2031 World Cup and to increase revenue from sales abroad. That international push may make financial sense, but it intensifies the debate about domestic balance: should Tests be concentrated where they make the most money, or rotated to nurture the game and regional economies across South Africa?
Those are practical questions with clear local consequences. For Soweto, the presence of big Tests at FNB can be a boon when managed well. For other cities, the absence of Tests this season is likely to leave lingering frustration and calls for a fairer distribution of marquee fixtures.
The conversation now shifts to SA Rugby and local authorities: how to keep Soweto’s stadium opportunities while ensuring the rest of the country is not permanently sidelined from the benefits of top-level Test rugby.
