Videos: Flight data shows Airlink jets flew just metres above Cape Town Stadium
A spectacular pre-match display mirrored iconic South African rugby history ahead of the Springboks' test match against the All Blacks.
Two green Airlink Embraer E190 jets performed a low-level flyover shortly before kick-off at DHL Stadium, clearing the top of the venue by as little as 12.5m.
Flight-tracking data provided by Flightradar24 revealed just how low the aircraft were during the pre-match display.
“Earlier [on Saturday], Airlink performed a pre-match flyover at DHL Stadium in Cape Town,” the tracking service posted on X. “Our lowest recorded ADS-B altitude was 50ft at standard pressure, or approximately 205-210ft AMSL when corrected for the local QNH of 1019 hPa. With DHL Stadium standing about 164ft tall near sea level, that puts the aircraft roughly 41-46ft (12.5-14m) above the top of the stadium.”
Continuing a iconic tradition
The display continued a South African rugby tradition made famous before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 piloted by Captain Laurie Kay swept over the stadium before the Springboks faced the All Blacks.
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Yesterday’s flyover took place ahead of the second test of the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, for which Airlink is the official airline.
Planning. Precision. Performance.
Spectacular scenes of Airlink’s double Embraer flyover at the DHL Stadium.
Airlink is Proud Official Sponsor of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt
#Airlink #FlyAirlink #FlyTheLink #Skybucks #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/3tPNepftLS
— Airlink (@Fly_Airlink) August 29, 2026
More video angles:
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 29, 2026
Another angle. As received. pic.twitter.com/1tns0aQbzZ
— Herman
(@hermux) August 29, 2026
Can’t park there pic.twitter.com/MCsMr6q9NU
— Herman
A view of the planes flying over the Cape Town’s DHL Stadium’s roof from the roof
pic.twitter.com/oNCagiwKI5
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 30, 2026
The post Planes flew 12.5m to 14m above stadium appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
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