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

The opening day of the South Africa vs. Australia Test series at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban drew just over 7,500 spectators, less than a third of the venue’s 25,000-capacity crowd.

The sparse attendance has reignited discussions about the declining interest in red-ball cricket within the country, particularly as limited-overs matches continue to draw stronger fan support. For instance, the ODI between the same teams at Kingsmead in late September attracted around 12,000 fans, despite the venue’s capacity being double that of the Test match’s opening-day turnout.

The infrequent scheduling of Test cricket in Durban—only four matches since 2019—may also be contributing to the waning local enthusiasm for the format, as fans have had limited opportunities to develop a consistent habit of attendance. The series holds significant stakes as part of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle, with South Africa, the current title holders, fielding a full-strength lineup led by Temba Bavuma.

Australia, meanwhile, arrived with key absences, including Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, due to injuries sustained during the preceding ODI series. The second Test is set to begin on October 22 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, with hopes that a more central location could help boost attendance figures for the remainder of the series.

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