Cricket South Africa have been engulfed in a storm of rage after trying to cash in on the thousands of England fans travelling for next winter’s Test series.
Tickets for the third Test at the scenic Newlands ground in Cape Town, nestled under Table Mountain, sold out within five minutes of being made available online on Monday, sparking ire amongst fans on both sides.
Within a quarter of an hour, the first batches had appeared on resale ticket websites, with Viagogo showing them as available to purchase for £300 each. Meanwhile, tickets for the first two Tests on the Highveld – at the Wanderers and Supersport Park – remained available at 350 Rand (£15.90) to locals.
South African fans blamed English fans – and the Barmy Army in particular – for hoovering up the tickets for the New Year’s match in Cape Town.
As South African supporters vented their frustration online, the Barmy Army were advertising a return trip from the UK to witness that particular fixture, and indulge in a New Year’s Eve safari, at a cost of £5,795.
England are touring South Africa this winter for the first time since 2019-20
Thousands of England fans are expected to make the trip to South Africa over Christmas and into the New Year
However, Daily Mail Sport can reveal that it is the formation of South Africa Cricket Travel – a new company set up between Cricket South Africa and the Johannesburg-based Tourvest – that has sent prices soaring.
Instead of selling seats onto established tour operators, they are maximising revenue by forcing them to purchase bundles which include tickets along with hotels and transfers to venues.
‘There’s English tax everywhere we go now,’ said one experienced member of the cricket travel industry.
The South African board have copied the model used by their Australian counterparts for last winter’s Ashes, but done so at the last minute rather than two years in advance.
With CSA inundated with messages of complaint, they released a statement on Monday lunchtime clarifying that all tickets had been purchased.
‘Thank you to every fan who secured their seat. There’s still time to get your tickets for all the other matches taking place across the country this coming summer,’ it read.
‘SA Cricket Travel is designed to take fans to the heart of the game. To feel the passion, energy and spirit of the sport loved by millions whenever the Proteas take the field. More than just a travel service**,** it offers once-in-a-lifetime cricket experiences that connect supporters to the legacy of the Proteas.’
Another with knowledge of cricket tours said the packages were being sold on at a mark-up of four times face value while corporate tickets that were worth £80 on the 2019-20 tour were now being priced up at £270, with a caveat that they must be purchased for all five days.
An estimated 10,000 England supporters are expected to attend the series – around half of Newlands’ current reduced capacity.
Cricket South Africa were contacted for comment but did not respond.
