The recent rugby match at Kings Park Stadium in Durban saw a significant shortfall in attendance, with only 14,759 fans present in a venue capable of holding 52,000. The match, which resulted in a 54-0 victory for the New Zealand All Blacks over the Sharks, took place under difficult weather conditions, including cold temperatures and rain in Durban, alongside reports of snow in other parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

This match serves as a component of a broader initiative branded as 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.' The project involves an eight-match tour by the New Zealand side, which is scheduled to include four Test matches, one of which is slated to be held in the United States. The initiative represents a strategic effort by the respective rugby unions to transform a long-standing historical rivalry into a modern commercial venture. Under the current agreement, the unions have established a 50-50 partnership to manage the commercial aspects of these fixtures.

The low turnout has raised questions regarding the commercial viability and public reception of this new project. While the weather likely played a role in the sparse crowd, the event has been characterized by some observers as an 'awkward advertisement' for the ambitious tour, suggesting that the historical prestige of the rivalry may not automatically translate into modern commercial success.