Temba Bavuma Addresses Empty Seats at Kingsmead With a Message About Rising Costs
- Rising household expenses have added a new dimension to the debate over attendance at South Africa's international cricket matches
- The Proteas captain has explained why supporters may struggle to justify spending money on tickets
- After a disappointing turnout in Durban, attention turns to whether Gqeberha will offer a different atmosphere
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Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has acknowledged the financial pressures facing South African supporters after the opening Test against Australia attracted relatively few spectators at Kingsmead in Durban.
Just 4,108 people attended the first day, and attendance remained modest throughout the five-day contest. The turnout drew attention because the fixture featured two leading international cricket teams.
Speaking in isiXhosa, Bavuma said he understood why some supporters might find it difficult to attend matches amid rising day-to-day expenses. As reported by IOL, the Proteas skipper said:
“We saw that the stands were not full. We understand the situation in South Africa. Things are expensive. The price of petrol, diesel and everything is up, so it's not easy for people to dip into their pockets and pay for tickets.”
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His comments come as South African motorists face higher fuel costs. The government announced on 5 October that petrol and diesel prices would increase from 7 October 2026. Petrol 95 rose by R3.33 per litre, while petrol 93 increased by R3.12 per litre.
Nathan Lyon expected more fans at Kingsmead
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon also expressed surprise at the attendance during the Test.
“I was expecting more of a crowd, if I'm being honest with you,” Lyon said after the third day.
“When you've got the Australian cricket team competing against South Africa in South Africa, No. 1 and No. 2 going at it, I was expecting a bigger crowd.”
The modest turnout contrasted with the more than 50,000 supporters who watched Mamelodi Sundowns face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium over the same weekend.
Unrest in Durban's central business district was also cited as a possible factor affecting attendance.
Proteas hope for better support in Gqeberha
Bavuma hopes South Africa will attract a bigger crowd when the team faces Australia at St George's Park in Gqeberha from 18 October.
“We are hopeful that things will be different in Gqeberha and people will come,” he said.
Bavuma said the team’s performances would also influence whether supporters returned to the stands. He believes the players must meet the standards fans expect whenever they represent the Proteas.
South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat in the opening Test on 13 October, giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Josh Hazlewood played a decisive role, taking six wickets in the hosts’ second innings.
The Proteas will have another chance to respond when the teams meet in Gqeberha. Alongside the challenge of levelling the series, Bavuma’s comments highlight the importance of performance and affordability in bringing supporters back to the stadiums.
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Travis Head's social media dig at Temba Bavuma after Durban Test
Briefly News previously reported that Australia's victory over South Africa in Durban sparked reactions beyond the cricket field, with Travis Head sharing a cheeky social media post involving Proteas captain Temba Bavuma.
The AI-generated clip added another twist to the aftermath of Australia's win, but its timing made the post particularly notable.
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Source: Briefly News
