HIGH-FLYERS: R739m sponsorship power play – the Boks are a big-bucks business
A social media comment on a screengrab of the Airlink-branded Spidercam suspended over the FNB Stadium pitch said it all: ‘South Africa is not a serious country’ – but Springbok rugby money is serious business, all R2.2bn of it.
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht withdrew the application for a risky flyover over the FNB Stadium pitch for the upcoming South Africa vs. New Zealand rugby Test match. The decision was made due to unfavorable weather conditions, despite widespread enthusiasm for the flyby. Airlink CEO Engelbrecht expressed regret for disappointing fans and supporters, stating that safety came first.
The withdrawal of the flyover application occurred on September 2, 2026. From 2017 to 2024, FlySafair provided domestic carriage for SA Rugby, but the airline faced challenges during a major corporate restructuring, leading to Airlink's acquisition of the premium category sponsorship for the 2026 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
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