Three helicopters took to the skies above FNB Stadium yesterday (September 4) with a message for today’s Springbok–All Blacks showdown: A predicted series lead of 2–1 for the Boks.

Helivate Helicopter Services staged a three-ship formation flight ahead of the third test, with one helicopter breaking right and two splitting left in a deliberate display designed to represent the company’s prediction for the series.

The flight followed the cancellation of the planned official flypast. Airlink had submitted a third flypast application to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), but subsequently withdrew it, citing unfavourable weather conditions.

Helivate, which offers flight training and charter services, operates out of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

It shared a video of the flight formation and split on its Facebook page, saying: “We think it’s a prediction for the final whistle: A 2–1 series lead to the Boks.”

Two of four tests have been played in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, with each team winning one match. Today’s match kicks off at 17:10.

The post said that the Helivate rotorcraft maintained a legal altitude of 1 002 feet on the radar altimeter, in line with SACAA regulations.

Flight background and rugby passion

CEO Hayley Cumming says the team members are passionate rugby supporters who are following the rivalry series closely.

“We enjoy challenges, flying in formation and working as a team.”

Cumming adds that the pilots involved were the school’s top flight instructors, who used Robinson R44 helicopters from the company’s Johannesburg fleet.

She says the formation split was intentional.

“This was part of our flight briefing and rehearsed as per the video. Go Bokke.”

Watch the video here:

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