Poor crowd turnouts in South Africa for European fixtures under the spotlight

South African clubs hosted two European clashes for the first time in a historic opening weekend when the Lions hosted Dragons in a Challenge Cup fixture and the Sharks hosted Harlequins.

The Sharks registered a win after going down to 13-men and the Lions drew with Dragons but it was the jarring emptiness of the large stadiums in South Africa that stood out to viewers back in Europe.

An image shared by RugbyInsideLine on Twitter showed the towering stands at Ellis Park empty of spectators and holding massive banners for the clash against the Welsh club.

European rugby looks popular in South Africa… pic.twitter.com/ggoNMTpMIQ

— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) December 10, 2022

A spectator at the ground shared a video which summed up the atmosphere at the game where individuals can be heard clearly due to the echo around the mainly empty stadium.

He wrote: “Ellis Park absolutely pumping. I can actually hear Kobus Wiese doing commentary whilst sitting on the grandstand.”

@FrontRowGrunt Ellis Park absolutely pumping. I can actually hear Kobus Wiese doing commentary whilst sitting on the grand stand 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jLWprjcesA

— Andries Combrinck (@AJCombrinck) December 10, 2022

Other South African fans called for the Lions to give up playing at Ellis Park so they could fill a smaller ground that will bring some atmosphere for those in attendance.

@Springboks no crowd again?? Why even play at Ellis Park @URCOfficial @ChampionsCup

— Brian Roos (@brian_roos) December 10, 2022

The Lions need to stop playing at Ellis Park asap, the emptiness of that stadium is just depressing

— Amahle (@Skorzeny07) December 10, 2022

Its becoming embarrassing now , Lions can't keep playing at Ellis Park.

— MB5 (@MB5Plug) December 10, 2022

Although it was a European clash, both clubs reside in the URC so the fixture between the Lions and the Dragons was not a unique one.

The Sharks clash against Premiership club Harlequins in Durban drew a bigger crowd of nearly 13,000, but they were all mainly seated in one stand.

yeah right pic.twitter.com/BEB8EVRKN2

— nick stirk (@nickstirkster) December 10, 2022

About 400 people in Durban. I know for a fact there is nothing better to be doing right now across the city, especially with the sea filled with e coli. Saffas can't complain that the Europeans are scoffing at our inclusion if we don't show up. Poor. #HeinekenChampionsCup

— Daniel Gallan (@danielgallan) December 10, 2022

Despite a furore over France’s scrumhalf Antoine Dupont’s comments about the European Cup no longer being the same with South African involvement, the crowd turnout in Durban was low for the historic first for South Africa.

Discussion over whether South Africa’s high capacity stadiums should be reserved only for Springboks fixtures gathered more traction, while agreement seemed to be reached that the Lions should no longer play at Ellis Park.

Shameful. Who's to blame? Sharks? SA Rugby? Zuma?

— Daniel Gallan (@danielgallan) December 10, 2022

Absolutely. I can't see the Sharks moving, other than perhaps for the occasional game in a smaller stadium in other parts of the province, as they have done infrequently in the past. But the Lions definitely have to move – the location of Ellis Park is the biggest issue for them.

— Belinda Glenn (@girlfrommarsza) December 10, 2022

@SaffasRugby – Out of interest why are the crowd numbers so poor for Sharks v Harq ? Thanks

— Dai Charles (@DHCharles) December 10, 2022

Not a great crowd at the #ChampionsCup game between #Sharks and #Quins. Thought this competition would draw a bigger attendance in South Africa 🤷‍♂️

— Tom Keating (@tomdkeating) December 10, 2022

Judging by the “crowd” very little interest in the European Champions Cup in South Africa @btsportrugby #shavhar

— G. Pedliham 2 💙💗🤍💗💙🌈 (@GPedliham) December 10, 2022