This is the moment two planes narrowly missed the roof of a packed stadium as they performed a skillful low-level flyover ahead of a rugby match.
Two Airlink Embraer E-Jets were seen soaring over DHL Stadium in Cape Town ahead of South Africa’s game against New Zealand on Saturday afternoon.
The jets – an Embraer E190 and an Embraer E195 – were between 41ft and 46ft above the roof of the 55,000-capacity venue, according to flight radar.
Multiple clips show the planes passing over the stadium as colorful pyrotechnics are blasted above the roof.
Different angles displayed the back of the planes coming skillfully close to the roof of the stadium.
In a particularly impressive manoeuvre, the leading jet pitched up as it passed over the last stand, dropping its tail near the roofline while the second followed closely behind.
Airlink, which is an official partner of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, praised the 'spectacular scenes' the planes put on. It has since said both jets flew within 'approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits'.
The flight required careful planning and rehearsal, as the pilots had to navigate at low altitude, at around 150 knots. The two aircraft were flown by experienced crew, each comprised of three senior captains operating as commander, co-pilot and safety officer.
Two planes narrowly missed the roof of DHL Stadium in Cape Town as they performed a skillful low-level flyover
One of the Airlink Embraer E-Jets skims along the roof of DHL Stadium in South Africa
Video captured on Saturday at the stadium appeared to show a dangerous low-level flyover
An Airlink Embraer E-Jet breezes through colorful pyrotechnics let off at the top of the stadium
Despite the apparent proximity, there was never any indication that a dangerous incident could have happened because of the low-altitude flyover
A similar fly-by took place before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, where South Africa beat New Zealand.
South African Airways flew a Boeing 747-200 extremely low over the packed stadium, with witnesses at the time claiming the plane came terrifyingly close to the building.
Some social media users were left aghast following yesterday's stunt, calling it 'dangerous'.
'That was close,' one user said, sharing a video where a jet's wing looked like it nearly struck the stadium.
The two jets used in Saturday's flyover were registered as ZS-YAE and ZS-YDE, according to CPT Aviation. Both were painted in special green and black colors, respectively, for the occasion.
Another user opined that the flyover 'could've been a MAJOR disaster'.
Another added: 'I mean, cool but how is that safe?'
Other commenters insisted that the stunt was 'too dangerous' and that 'too many people's lives were put at risk' as a result.
'Some of these people travelled internationally to enjoy the games,' one user wrote.
But despite the shocked reactions, there was never any indication that anyone was in danger during the awe-inspiring stunt.
A fly-by took place before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, where South Africa beat New Zealand
It looked like the back of one of the jets was close to clipping the 55,000-seat stadium
A photo of the flyover before the game between South Africa and New Zealand. Flyovers have been common for important rugby games in South Africa going back to the 1990s
Airlink touted the flyover on Saturday after it happened, writing on X: 'Planning. Precision. Performance.'
Low-altitude flyovers are relatively common for big rugby games in South Africa, going back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final.
While many viewers were stunned, others defended the flyover, calling it 'beautiful' or 'spectacular.'
'Only the weak of heart and mind will criticise this, but then again, those dudes need a license to go crap in the woods whilst camping,' another said.
Part of the Embraer E-Jet family, the E195 is a stretched version of the E190. Both entered service in late 2004.
The latter holds 96 to 114 passengers whereas the former carries between 100 and 124 passengers.
It came as South Africa claimed a 33-26 victory over New Zealand in the second of a four-match series billed as the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
The Springboks will host the All Blacks again at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg before a final match in the US at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Airlink and DHL Stadium for comment.