Cape Town - A day before tickets for the 2019 Rugby World Cup go on general sale, organisers confirmed on Friday that a number of games have technically sold out.
However, "a small number of (additional) tickets will be made available for all games and further tickets will become available throughout 2019" once logistics have been finalised and official resales have been completed, said a source at Japan 2019, the tournament's local organising committee.
According to the Kyodo News website, as of midday on Friday, 26 of the 40 pool stage games were effectively sold out.
In addition to pool games featuring hosts Japan and high-profile clashes such as New Zealand v South Africa, matches between so-called minnow nations at smaller grounds such as Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium and Level 5 Stadium in Fukuoka have also seen "phenomenal demand."
The knockout games - to be held in Oita, Tokyo and Yokohama - still have a few premium tickets available, but supply is very limited.
"In terms of applications and sales, we are far in advance of even Rugby World Cup 2015," the source said.
Over 300 000 people waited online - some more than 20 hours - as tickets went on sale on Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis to those who were unable to buy tickets via the 2018 ticket ballots.
Organisers said more than 120 000 tickets were sold in the past two days, though the process was not without its problems, with the long wait and payments not being accepted from certain foreign banks and credit cards among the complaints.
General ticket sales begin Saturday at 10:00 Japan time and will continue until 23:59 on March 31.
The tournament is scheduled to run from September 20 to November 2.
The Springboks' Pool B 2019 Rugby World Cup match schedule (SA times):
Saturday, September 21: South Africa v New Zealand, International Stadium Yokohama - 11:45
Saturday, September 28: South Africa v Namibia, City of Toyota Stadium - 11:45
Friday, October 4: South Africa v Italy, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa - 11:45
Tuesday, October 8: South Africa v Canada, Kobe Misaki Stadium - 12:15