Sparse crowd seen on Day 1 of South Africa vs Australia Test in Durban

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 9, 2026, 3:16 PM

Last updated Oct 9, 2026

Sparse crowd seen on Day 1 of South Africa vs Australia Test in Durban
Summary

The first day of the Test match between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead saw a low turnout of spectators, attributed to several factors. Ticket sales struggled before the match due to weekday scheduling, ongoing school terms, and competing events, such as a football final nearby. While both teams are ranked high in international cricket, the attendance reflected cricket's ongoing challenges in attracting fans in South Africa. The match is still in progress, with expectations modest for the next days.

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By the Numbers
  • •Only around 7,500 tickets were sold for the opening day.
  • •Kingsmead hosted South Africa's Test against world number one Australia.
  • •Competing festivities include an MTN8 football final nearby.
  • •Cricket's popularity in South Africa is challenged by rugby and football.
  • •Day 1 attendance may reflect ongoing trends in South African cricket.
Latest Updates
  • 3:16 PMYahoo Sports — South Africa vs Australia 1st Test sees sparse crowd on Day 1: Exploring the reasons behind low turnout despite a high-profile cricket game
What they're saying
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Why was Kingsmead almost empty on Day 1 of SA vs AUS 1st Test? Examining weekday scheduling, ticket tiers, CSA paywalls, and Test cricket's Durban dilemma.

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