SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has defended the organisation's decision to maintain high ticket prices for international matches, stating that it is a necessary measure for long-term sustainability rather than driven by greed.

The recent controversy over ticket pricing during the Nations Championship series against England, Scotland, and Wales sparked backlash from fans and pundits, with many arguing that rising costs have priced out ordinary South Africans from attending live matches.

Despite this, Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld reported attendance figures exceeding 85% for games against England and Scotland, falling slightly short of SA Rugby's 91% target.

Alexander emphasized that hosting Tests locally is more expensive than abroad due to factors like player insurance costs and travel logistics, with the economic impact of matches often benefiting provincial governments and cities.

The upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Gauteng will see four Test matches hosted, including a significant clash against New Zealand, with ticket sales for key fixtures already sold out.Alexander highlighted that while economic gains are part of the rationale, ensuring competitive conditions for teams is also a priority.