30.08.2026 00:10
An aerial display before a rugby match in Cape Town, South Africa, created thrilling moments in the stands. As two passenger planes flew almost tangent to DHL Stadium, the moment the second plane passed through the stadium's fireworks display was captured on camera.
The DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, was the scene of a breathtaking show ahead of the massive rugby clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks. Two passenger planes made an extremely low pass over the stadium, which was filled with thousands of fans. The footage revealed that the planes were very close to the stands and the stadium roof.
TWO PLANES FLEW OVER THE STADIUM
Two Embraer aircraft belonging to Airlink flew over DHL Stadium one after the other just before the Springboks vs. All Blacks match began.
The green Embraer E190, representing South Africa, and the black Embraer E195, representing New Zealand, performed a low pass over the stadium as part of a special display.
THE CLOSENESS OF THE PLANES FRIGHTENED
In the footage recorded by fans from the stands, it was notable that the planes seemed almost as if they would touch the stadium roof.
In particular, the second plane passing through the smoke rising from the pyrotechnic show in the stadium was captured on camera. These moments sparked comments on social media calling it "dangerously low."
However, it was also noted that the perspective in the footage could make the plane's actual altitude appear lower than it was. In posts regarding flight data, it was stated that the real distance between the plane and the stadium was greater than it appeared in some camera angles.
THE LEGEND FROM 1995 RETURNS
The show also holds special meaning in South African rugby. The tradition of flying planes over the stadium dates back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
Before that final, a South African Airways Boeing 747 flying over Ellis Park Stadium became one of the unforgettable images in the country's sporting history. Airlink is reviving this tradition as part of the 2026 "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series.
This time, the low pass of two Airlink planes carrying the colors of the two teams was one of the most striking moments of the pre-match show.