Former batter David Warner has expressed his disappointment over the "pathetic" attendance during the ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia. The first Test match ended with South Africa suffering a loss by 214 runs in Durban, where large sections of the Kingsmead ground remained empty. The second Test in Gqeberha has also seen low turnout, affected by rain.

Warner took to social media, questioning the absence of fans despite the emphasis on the importance of Test cricket:

We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa? Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we're supposed to believe the format is thriving?

Following the underwhelming attendance at the first Test, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU) announced plans for a thorough internal review to understand the factors behind the sparse crowds. Just under 20,000 fans attended the first Test across five days, which is less than a fifth of Kingsmead's capacity.

Heinrich Strydom, KZNCU CEO, stated, "A Test match of this quality, featuring the Proteas and Australia, deserved greater support in the stands." He acknowledged competing demands on fans' time and finances and emphasized the need for the union to reconnect with communities and enhance the appeal of Test cricket.

Michael Atherton from Sky Sports also criticized the lack of crowds, noting the significance of the match context. Nasser Hussain mentioned that while the situation appears bleak, it doesn't necessarily indicate the demise of Test cricket, citing similar issues in other cricketing nations.

This series marks the first time South Africa has hosted Tests in October, with the cricket calendar squeezing premier fixtures into shorter windows, further complicating attendance.