Low attendance at Durban Test sparks debate over red-ball cricket in South Africa

Only about 7,500 tickets were sold for day one of the first Test between South Africa and Australia on October 9, 2026, at Kingsmead in Durban. The sparse crowd filled under a third of the 25,000-capacity venue, renewing concerns regarding the long-term appeal of red-ball cricket in South Africa. A Friday morning start during the working week reportedly contributed to the lower turnout.

The attendance lagged behind an ODI held at the venue two weeks earlier, which drew approximately 12,000 spectators on a public holiday. On the field, Temba Bavuma captained South Africa as Anrich Nortje returned to Test cricket for the first time since March 2023, while Kagiso Rabada, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis missed out due to injuries.