A Springboks supporter has taken an unusual approach to securing a ticket for the highly anticipated South Africa versus New Zealand Test in Cape Town later this month by launching a personal GoFundMe fundraising appeal on social media.
Natalie Speelman says she is hoping to raise enough money to attend the Springboks versus All Blacks Test in Cape Town, which falls on her birthday on 29 August.
Tickets for the match are sold out, so Speelman would need an existing ticket-holder to offer up their seat.
Cannot afford a ticket
In a post on social media, Speelman described her appeal as a GoFundMe-style campaign, saying she cannot afford a ticket to the match.
“I am a true Bok supporter,” she wrote, adding that she was prepared to offer her technical services for free to the technical team if she could be at the game.
Speelman also appealed specifically to supporters in Pretoria, saying she was particularly fond of the Bulls and believed the team’s supporters would be willing to contribute towards her fundraising target.
“Let’s unite in helping me reach my goal,” she wrote.
She asked potential donors to contact her directly for banking details.
Attracted attention
The appeal has attracted attention because of its unusual combination of a birthday wish, a plea for rugby tickets and an offer to provide technical assistance to the Springboks team.
The Springboks and All Blacks rivalry remains one of the biggest fixtures in international rugby, with matches between the two sides attracting enormous interest from South African supporters.
For Speelman, however, the immediate goal is much simpler: finding a way into the stadium to cheer on the Springboks on her birthday weekend.
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