SA Rugby and SuperSport Extend Major Domestic Rugby Broadcast Partnership
SA Rugby and SuperSport have extended their long-standing domestic broadcast partnership in a move seen as a major boost for the future of South African rugby.
The renewed multi-year agreement ensures SuperSport will remain the exclusive broadcaster of South African domestic rugby competitions and various national team matches across sub-Saharan Africa. The deal was finalised through the CANAL+ Group, the parent company of MultiChoice.
The partnership continues a relationship that has lasted for more than three decades and has played a major role in the commercial growth of rugby in South Africa.
Major Competitions Remain on SuperSport
Under the renewed agreement, SuperSport will continue carrying key domestic rugby competitions including the Currie Cup, SA Cup, youth competitions and women’s rugby events. Springbok women’s and junior age-group matches are also included in the broadcast package.
The deal is considered critical for maintaining rugby’s visibility and financial sustainability within South Africa’s highly competitive sports broadcasting market.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer stressed that broadcast rights remain central to the long-term health of the sport and described SuperSport as a trusted partner that understands rugby’s importance to South African audiences.
The agreement also arrives at a time when rugby competitions across South Africa continue expanding and evolving.
Women’s Rugby Growth Adds Momentum
South African rugby has seen increasing investment in women’s competitions and development structures over the past year.
SA Rugby recently described 2025 as a “watershed year” for women’s rugby after the Springbok Women reached the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time while participation numbers also increased significantly.
The organisation has additionally announced plans for a fully professional women’s competition beginning in 2026, making stable broadcast partnerships even more important for future visibility and commercial support.
SuperSport’s continued involvement is expected to provide crucial exposure for both established and emerging competitions within the country.
Rugby Broadcasting Becoming Increasingly Competitive
The extension comes amid growing competition in African sports broadcasting.
Recent months have seen new broadcasters attempting to challenge SuperSport’s long-standing dominance in sports rights across the continent, particularly around football and international tournaments.
Despite that pressure, the renewed rugby agreement strengthens SuperSport’s position as the primary home of South African rugby.
Industry analysts believe the deal also reflects rugby’s continued commercial value within South Africa, where the sport remains one of the country’s strongest television attractions.
