Gayton McKenzie Says “No DNA Just RSA” as NASA Copies SA Flyover at Steelers NFL Game
- Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie reacted after NASA conducted its first-ever flyover during an NFL game, sparking comparisons to South Africa
- The reaction follows Airlink's jaw-dropping low-altitude flypast over DHL Stadium during the Springboks vs All Blacks Test on 29 August 2026
- South Africans flooded social media to remind the world that SA has been doing stadium flyovers since 1995, with some crediting Madiba for starting the tradition
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South Africans are not letting NASA have its moment without a reminder of who did it first. After the US space agency conducted its debut flyover during a Pittsburgh Steelers NFL home opener on 13 September 2026, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie jumped onto X with a pointed caption: "No DNA Just RSA," sending Mzansi into a celebratory frenzy.
Source: Getty Images
The NASA stunt, which saw T-38 jets fly over the Steelers' stadium in what the agency framed as the launch of a new NFL partnership promoting space and aeronautics, drew immediate comparisons to what Airlink had already accomplished weeks earlier on home soil.
Airlink's record-breaking DHL Stadium flypast
On 29 August 2026, two Airlink Embraer E190 jets swept over Cape Town's DHL Stadium ahead of the second Great Rugby Rivalry Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks. One aircraft was painted green to represent South Africa and the other in black for New Zealand. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 determined that the jets passed roughly 41 to 46 feet above the stadium roof, a detail that triggered fierce debate around aviation safety online.
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Airlink defended the manoeuvre, confirming it received full approval from the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Air Traffic Navigation Services. Each aircraft carried three senior captains serving as commander, co-pilot, and safety and technical officer. In a follow-up statement, Airlink noted that "the flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA's approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast."
South Africa ultimately won the match at the 55,000-seat venue.
See Gayton McKenzie's reaction below.
Mzansi reacts to NASA's "copycat" flyover
When McKenzie's post began circulating alongside the NFL clip, South Africans were quick to put NASA in its place, referencing a famous flyover tradition dating back to 1995 with former President Nelson Mandela.
@MbuyiseniNdlozi wrote:
"I bet Trump saw the SA rugby game and demanded that NASA do the same! They don't know we've been doing it since 1996 with Madiba!"
@The_Villager_In took a dig at the altitude comparison, responding to the Steelers' official account:
"So y'all just cried because we were the first ones to do it and the right way? Now you're making headlines for wrong reasons. That's a bit high as well."
@RealKudaMupfeka replied to @Anele, writing:
"So their outrage stemmed from jealousy entlek 🤔🤦🏽♂️"
@IvynSambo kept it simple and emotional:
"We are such an influential country 🥹🇿🇦"
Watch the fly-over in the post below.
Gayton McKenzie breaks silence on Marathon dispute
Briefly News previously reported that the 100th Comrades Marathon has been caught up in an athletics dispute, leaving questions over the historic 2027 race
Gayton McKenzie has now stepped in with a strong message as thousands of runners prepare for the centenary event
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Source: Briefly News
