Former Australia Opener David Warner has questioned the health of Test cricket after sparse crowds attended South Africa’s home series against Australia, describing the turnout as pathetic despite the contest featuring the world’s two highest-ranked Test teams.
The opening Test in Durban attracted fewer than 20,000 spectators across five days, with large sections of Kingsmead remaining empty. Attendance has also struggled during the rain-affected opening two days of the second Test in Gqeberha, intensifying concerns about the ability of high-profile Test matches to attract spectators.
Warner wrote on X: “We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa?”
He added: “Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we’re supposed to believe the format is thriving? 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.”
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? 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
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 20, 2026
High-profile series struggles to attract spectators
The disappointing attendance comes despite several factors that would ordinarily make the series an attractive fixture for cricket supporters.
Australia entered the series as the world’s top-ranked Test team, with second-ranked South Africa playing their first home Test since January 2025 and their first since becoming World Test champions.
The series also marks Australia’s first Test visit to South Africa since the controversial 2018 tour, which was overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal.
South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat in the opening Test at Kingsmead, where total attendance over five days amounted to less than one-fifth of the venue’s capacity.
Atherton questions lack of support for Test cricket
Former England Captain Michael Atherton also expressed concern about the attendance figures, highlighting the significance of the fixture and the scheduling of the opening match.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Atherton said: “It started on a Friday, was played over the weekend. It’s the number one and number two ranked teams in the world, the first Test match at home for South Africa since becoming world champions. Plus there was all the context of it being the first Test between these two in South Africa since the infamous 2018 series. If you can’t drag a crowd in given that context, it’s a worrying sign.”
The debate has extended beyond the number of spectators attending matches to the experience offered to those who purchase tickets.
Former England Captain Nasser Hussain focused on the impact of interruptions to play, particularly when spectators are unable to watch a full day’s cricket because of deteriorating light.
Hussain noted: “The lights issue, and going off for bad light at half past three on day one, I think that’s more the discussion.”
He continued: “What can we do to make sure that sitting in a stand on a hot day is very much a good experience for the people that have paid their money? That they’re sitting there at 5.30 pm and not been sent home at 3.30 pm due to bad light?”
South African cricket officials launch attendance review
The KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU), responsible for cricket in the province that includes Durban, has announced an internal review following the poor turnout at Kingsmead.
The review will examine the factors influencing attendance and how the organisation can make international cricket more appealing to spectators.
KZNCU Chief Executive Officer Heinrich Strydom said in an official statement: “A Test match of this quality, featuring the Proteas and Australia, deserved greater support in the stands. While we recognise that supporters face competing demands on their time and finances, we must also understand better what influences their decisions to attend and what more we can do to make live cricket an attractive and worthwhile experience.”
The union’s response places attention on the practical challenges of attracting paying spectators, including the competing demands on supporters’ time and finances.
With the Durban Test having drawn limited crowds despite its sporting significance, the KZNCU’s internal review is now the confirmed next step in assessing how attendance at major international fixtures can be improved.
