Saru warns fans over fake Springbok Test ticket sales

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) has cautioned rugby fans against purchasing tickets from unauthorized agencies, warning that these entities may not have the tickets they promise. This warning came in response to complaints from tourism-oriented businesses accusing Saru of commercial greed and monopolizing hospitality suite packages. The cost of these packages ranges from R7,995 to R9,995 per person, not including VAT, for both the recent Cape Town Test and the upcoming third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

Saru explained that the issue arose when unofficial agencies sold tickets they did not have, contravening the event's terms and conditions. The body stated it had not received any complaints before the event, suggesting the allegations were intended to divert attention from illegal activities conducted by anonymous individuals posing as part of the sports tourism sector. Fans are advised to buy tickets exclusively through official channels to prevent financial loss and ensure they receive the tickets they paid for.

Hospitality operators who lodged complaints alleged that the allocation process for the hospitality suites was unfair, limiting access for local and international tour operators, corporate clients, and visitors. They claimed that Saru exclusively granted massive blocks of premium packages to a few large operators and permitted select big corporate entities to purchase up to 10 entire viewing suites at once, leaving smaller travel businesses with no inventory to offer.

International visitors, who had planned their trips under the assumption of fair distribution, discovered that tickets had been cornered by a few corporate entities.

Price concerns were also raised, with some sellers reporting significant markups, with one package going for as much as R20,000 in the international market, excluding VAT. Concerned business owners questioned Saru about the disappearance of 6,000 tickets and demanded that the Competition Commission investigate these restrictive commercial practices to ensure the South African sporting marketplace remains fair, accessible, and transparent for both local businesses and international guests in future fixtures.