Springboks Flyover Sparks Debate After Americans Claim South Africa Copied Them

• Americans accused South Africa of copying them after two Airlink jets flew dramatically low over DHL Stadium in Cape Town ahead of a Springboks match
• South Africans fired back with jokes, pointing out the country's flyover tradition stretches back to the iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park
• A viral Instagram video by @okami_blackwolf captured the sarcastic SA response that had Mzansi and the rest of the world in stitches

A South African content creator had people crying with laughter after discussing how Americans accused South Africa of copying the United States with a jaw-dropping stadium flyover.

The video, posted by @okami_blackwolf on Instagram, was a reaction to online chatter following a spectacular pre-match stunt on 29 August 2026. Ahead of the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, airline Airlink sent two commercial Embraer jets screaming over the packed 50,000-seat venue in formation. One was painted in Springbok green, the other in All Black's black. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 later confirmed the lead jet cleared the stadium roof by just 41 to 46 feet, roughly 12 to 14 metres.

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Airlink planes left just 46ft between them and DHL Stadium in a dramatic flyover

The moment went viral globally, partly because stadium pyrotechnics erupted just as the planes passed, sending the second jet flying through thick plumes of coloured smoke. Airlink defended the stunt, saying it was fully authorised by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and carried out by six experienced senior captains. South Africa went on to win the match 33-26.

South Africa's flyover tradition goes back to 1995

When American commentators online suggested South Africa had borrowed the idea from the United States, South Africans had a lot to say. The creator's video, filmed in a sarcastic, deadpan tone, pointed out that SA's flyover tradition is anything but new.

The tradition dates back to 24 June 1995, when a South African Airways Boeing 747, nicknamed "Lebombo" and flown by chief pilot Captain Laurie Kay, made two low passes over Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg just before the Rugby World Cup final. Ground crews had secretly painted "GOOD LUCK BOKKE" on the aircraft's underside. The stunt was so unexpected that President Nelson Mandela's security detail briefly panicked before realising what was happening. The Springboks won 15-12 that day, and the moment was later recreated in Clint Eastwood's 2009 film Invictus.

In the United States, military flyovers are tightly controlled by the FAA and the Department of Defence, reserved for specific patriotic holidays or civic events, and require formal applications months in advance.

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Throwback Clip of Boeing 747 Flyover at 1995 Rugby World Cup Final Resurfaces Amid Airlink Debate

Watch the video that set Mzansi off:

Mzansi reacts to the USA vs SA debate

South Africans, and a few international observers, flooded the comments on the Instagram page with their thoughts:

@nkuliebby wrote:

"Imagine not being South African 😂"

@fadzonair noted:

"One thing about South Africans, we'll take a sensitive spot and use it against you… Jokes and all. 💀💀💀"

@nela_schaupp added:

"The world should know they shouldn't start with the South African fraternity… they are never going to win 🤷🏾‍♀️"

@majorrsa reminded everyone:

"Those people don't know SAA did the same thing in the 1995 Rugby World Cup."

@miss.euni_ joked:

"I want to laugh, but I live here 💀💀💀"

More on Airlink's Springboks flyover

• Briefly News recently reported that Airlink defended its dramatic DHL Stadium flyover after two jets sparked widespread aviation safety concerns.
• A South African comedian had Mzansi in stitches with a parody of the controversial Airlink flyover.
• The Springboks vs All Blacks flyover took a new turn after aviation authorities began an official review.

Source: Briefly News