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.

South African Rugby Continues Expanding

SA Rugby has continued restructuring and expanding its domestic competition structure in recent seasons.

New competitions such as the SA Rugby Under-23 Cup have been introduced to strengthen player development pathways for younger talent and returning professionals.

Meanwhile, the SA Cup continues serving as a qualification route into the Currie Cup Premier Division and First Division systems.

Broadcast revenue remains essential for supporting those structures, player development programs and grassroots investment across the country.

The Way Ahead

The renewed agreement between SA Rugby and SuperSport provides significant stability for South African rugby during a period of rapid change in global sports media and broadcasting.

With domestic competitions expanding, women’s rugby growing rapidly and fan demand remaining strong, the partnership ensures rugby will continue enjoying a major television platform across Africa while securing an important commercial foundation for the sport’s future.

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