Dramatic video shows jets nearly hitting stadium roof in Cape Town flyover
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Two Airlink Embraer jets staged a dramatic low flyover of Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday that left spectators gasping and sparked intense online debate after videos showed the aircraft came dangerously close to the roof.
The specially painted green Embraer E190s, registrations ZS-YAE and ZS-YDE, thundered over the packed venue just before kick-off in the Springboks versus All Blacks Test, part of the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series.
WATCH: Two Airlink Embraer 190's just flew dangerously low over DHL Stadium in Cape Town pic.twitter.com/qTlZzKjnzL
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 29, 2026
Airlink, the official airline partner for the tour, provided the display as a theatrical highlight.
Footage from multiple angles showed the first jet appearing to skim the stadium structure, its tail dipping lower as it pitched up, while the second aircraft flew through stadium pyrotechnics.
The clip aired live on South African television and rapidly went viral on social media.
One Instagram user declared “it looks like the airplanes almost hit the top of Cape Town stadium,” while another viewer remarked, “That was a bit dicey if you ask me. Shoo-wee.”
Flight-tracking data helped put the images in context. Early reports cited a barometric altitude of about 50 metres and a GPS altitude of 925 feet as the aircraft crossed the stadium.
Flightradar24 later clarified that the lowest ADS-B altitude reading, corrected for local pressure, placed the jets roughly 12.5 to 14 metres (41–46 feet) above the roof.
Another angle. As received. pic.twitter.com/1tns0aQbzZ
— Herman (@hermux) August 29, 2026
DHL Stadium stands approximately 164 feet high, indicating greater clearance than some dramatic camera angles suggested.
Low stadium flyovers have become a distinctive South African sporting tradition.
The practice traces back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 roared overhead with the message “GOOD LUCK BOKKE” painted under its wings.
Subsequent major matches have featured similar displays, including by larger wide-body jets. Airlink’s green-liveried Embraers continued that lineage for this high-profile fixture.
No reports indicated the manoeuvre was unplanned or unapproved; such displays require coordination with air traffic control and event organisers.
The Springboks went on to defeat the All Blacks 33-26, handing New Zealand their first loss of the year. While the flyover dominated pre-match conversation and social-media reaction.
