Overview
- Two specially liveried Airlink Embraer E‑jets conducted a planned pre‑match flyover at DHL Stadium before the Springboks–All Blacks test, with the match played on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
- Multiple camera angles from inside and outside the stadium made the jets appear to pass extremely close to the 55,000‑seat roof as pyrotechnics fired during the display.
- Flight‑tracking services published differing altitude figures that reporters cited, including an ADS‑B/barometric reading that put clearance at roughly 12.5 metres (41–46 ft) above the roof and other readings that indicated substantially higher altitudes, creating technical uncertainty.
- No collision or damage was reported, Airlink posted footage saying the display went to plan, and the aircraft continued their journeys; coverage noted there is no public record yet of an official aviation investigation.
- Observers pointed to South Africa’s long flyover tradition and explained that camera perspective and differing altitude measures can exaggerate apparent closeness, while the incident is likely to keep attention on planning and safety for future stadium flybys.