David Warner blasts sparse crowds at South Africa-Australia Tests

Warner questions the appeal of Test cricket

Former Australia opener David Warner has voiced frustration at the sparse crowds attending the Test series between South Africa and Australia, asking why supporters have not turned out for a contest featuring the world’s top-ranked sides.

“We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa? Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we’re supposed to believe the format is thriving?” Warner wrote on X. He added: “You can’t keep calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game if no one turns up to watch it. Harsh reality, but someone has to say it. Pathetic.”

High-profile series fails to fill stands

Attendance was low at the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban, where South Africa lost by 214 runs. Just under 20,000 spectators attended across the five days, fewer than one-fifth of the ground’s capacity.

Rain also affected attendance during the first two days of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The modest turnouts have drawn attention because of the series’ significance: Australia arrived as the world’s top-ranked Test side, with South Africa second. It is also Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, while the Proteas are playing their first home Test series as reigning world Test champions.