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South African rugby chiefs today admitted they had priced tickets too high for the Lions First Test in Durban, which has left 2,000 unsold.
There will be an official contingent of 11,000 Lions supporters at Kings Park but with tickets costing £90 local supporters are opting to stay away.
South Africa's Rugby's project manager Andre Homan today claimed the Second Test in Pretoria was almost sold out while 2,500 tickets still remain for the final clash in Johannesburg. He said: "It is a hard sell at the moment because of the current market which has been affected by the recession. With the help of hindsight, maybe we would have taken a different view on prices.
"The ticket prices were set after very careful consultation with ticketing agencies and after benchmarking against other SA and international sporting events, however, we didn't know about the economic crisis or the fact that the IPL cricket would be brought to South Africa at short notice."
Meanwhile, Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold has insisted his players will not be underdone tomorrow. Gold, the former London Irish director of rugby, reminded doubters that the world champions had been without a game for a long period before winning last year's two matches with Wales.
He said: "It is interesting that this 'underdone' tag is being thrown around about us when 12 months ago Wales came here and told us how tired they were after having a very long season back home."
Reader views (4)
How daft can you be? The same thing happened in 1997 and 1995 with the World Cup! Sell the tickets to schools at a discount and give them 25% commission. All will be sold in a week. Old farts (credit to Will Carling) running the show.
- Gideon From South Africa, JHB, 19/06/2009 15:54
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Donwales - What about the tickets unsold at the previous matches - only the games against Kings and Sharks came near(ish) to sell outs!
SA and Lions fans deserve reallistically priced and not OTT priced tickets!!
- Peter, London, 19/06/2009 15:18
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To Peter, London: 2,000 tickets unsold in a 52,000 capacity stadium 2 days before the match is surely not the end of the world, and they'll be taken up somehow, by clubs, school groups, whatever. To suggest denying SA and UK rugby fans tours is massively OTT. Also in Joburg's Test 2,500 tickets unsold in 62,000 capacity is also no big deal with 2 weeks to go. Bet on the day thousands will be clamouring for a ticket.
- Donwales, Penarth, Wales, 19/06/2009 14:06
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Dont think the South Africans really deserve another tour after their poor organisation!
They have this opportunity once every twelve years so you would think that they would be able to sell out - if not why not discount the tickets now - fuller stadiums look better on tv and for the sponsors!!
I wonder what sort of disaster the 2010 football world cup will be as the tickets for that are more expensive than for the IPL and lions!!
- Peter, London, 19/06/2009 12:00
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