Boks ticket drama at Loftus

Loftus Versfeld suite holders are reportedly furious over the Vodacom Bulls and SA Rugby’s new Springbok Test ticketing arrangement. 

According to Rapport, Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone has informed suite holders they must purchase tickets to their boxes for the Bok Test against Italy on 5 July or vacate them to allow SA Rugby (Saru) to sell those tickets as hospitality packages.

One disgruntled suite holder told Rapport: “Saru is basically cutting the franchises’ throats now. It’s shortsighted.”

“Under the new Saru model, suite owners must purchase tickets directly from Saru for international matches,” Rathbone explained in a communication to suite holders.

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While acknowledging this represents a “significant change”, Rathbone noted the Bulls negotiated a more favourable price than originally proposed. Suite holders can now purchase seats at R1 740 (excluding VAT) per seat instead of the initially proposed R6 000.

He emphasised this arrangement applies only to the 2025 Test and isn’t guaranteed for future matches.

“This change is beyond the control of the Blue Bulls Company. We share your disappointment, as this is a shift we have tried our utmost to avoid,” Rathbone wrote.

Meanwhile, Rapport reports that Cape Town Stadium suite holders have been offered a 15% discount to rent their facilities for the Springboks-Barbarians clash on 28 June.

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