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Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa have appointed IFM Sports Marketing Surveys South Africa to look at possible reasons behind poor attendances at the opening international matches against England.
Bidvest Wanderers Stadium attracted 16 600 spectators for the 1st Standard Bank International Pro20 match, while 7 934 spectators attended SuperSport Park in Centurion where South Africa won the second Pro20 in record-breaking fashion to draw the series 1-1 all with England.
Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola said: "We like hearing from the fans. The last fan survey we ran provided some interesting insights, some of which we have already followed up on.
"People asked for more information so we launched our Facebook and Twitter platforms which have been extremely popular and has dramatically improved our interactions with fans.
"The Proteas deserve to play in front of capacity crowds and we will do our utmost to rally the nation to show 100% South African support to Graeme Smith and his charges."
Marc Jury, managing director of IFM, said: "Through our research across different sporting codes we have always encountered the response that the 'energy and atmosphere' of live sporting events is a critical element in drawing supporters to the ground.
"Something that is evident is the live experience has not kept pace with the ease and comfort of the 'TV product' and thus people often choose to watch from their living rooms instead of Row F.
"Too often rights holders make decisions based on gut-feel and not by listening to what their fans want.
"CSA are taking a proactive approach to ensure the likes of Smith, Pietersen, Strauss and co will be playing in front of full stadiums for the rest of the summer."
The survey includes face-to-face, as well as online research on the CSA website (www.cricket.co.za).
Researchers were at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday and at the 2nd MTN One Day International at SuperSport on Sunday gathering data. The online survey will go live shortly.
