Boeing 747 Flyover from 1995 Rugby World Cup Resurfaces Amid Safety Concerns
An iconic video of a Boeing 747 flying over a packed stadium during the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final has resurfaced, sparking a debate about flight safety in South Africa.
The Boeing 747, named Lebombo and piloted by Laurie Kay, made two low passes over Ellis Park Stadium with 'Good Luck Bokke' painted underneath the aircraft. The stunt was orchestrated by an advertising agency associated with South African Airways.
The 1995 flyover has been etched into the collective memory of South Africans as a symbol of national unity in the post-apartheid era. It also featured prominently in Clint Eastwood's 2009 film Invictus.
The clip resurfaced after a recent Airlink flyover at Cape Town's DHL Stadium sparked concerns about safety. The jets flew as low as 12 to 14 metres above the stadium while pyrotechnics were still igniting, leading many critics to point out that South Africa has a long-standing tradition of such stunts.