A low flypast by two passenger jets before South Africa's second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town has sparked safety concerns and is now under review by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The incident, which occurred on August 29, involved the jets passing within 100 metres of the DHL Stadium roof, prompting the SACAA to obtain flight data recordings and request further information from Airlink.

The SACAA stated, "It is therefore critical that we interrogate this past weekend's events… to determine if there were any safety concerns which warrant a review." Following the incident, Airlink has decided to withdraw its plans for another flyover at the upcoming rugby match in Soweto.

Despite the excitement generated by the flyover, which was met with cheers from an estimated 56,000 fans, video footage circulating online raised questions about safety risks. Airlink defended the maneuver, asserting it was carefully planned and rehearsed, with safety being their top priority. The airline's chief executive, de Villiers Engelbrecht, acknowledged the enthusiasm for the spectacle while recognizing the "valid questions and concerns" that arose.

The SACAA confirmed that it would thoroughly examine the flight data to assess any potential safety issues. Earlier in the week, Airlink provided black box data for review and had previously received approval for two flyovers, the first taking place in Johannesburg on August 22. However, they have also withdrawn their application for a flyover scheduled for September 1 due to unfavorable weather conditions.

This incident has drawn international attention, with experts questioning if the aircraft left enough margin for error during the low flyby. The tradition of stadium flybys in South African rugby dates back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

Upcoming Test Series Schedule:

• First Test: South Africa 16-33 New Zealand (Ellis Park)
• Second Test: South Africa 33-26 New Zealand (Cape Town Stadium)
• Third Test: Saturday September 5 (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
• Fourth Test: Saturday September 12 (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)