Historic Rugby Match to be Broadcast by SABC in Celebration of Democracy

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will air the highly anticipated rugby match between the Springboks and the All Blacks as part of the Rugby Championship celebrations.

This announcement was made by South African Rugby Union President Mark Alexander and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on Friday evening, ahead of the clash scheduled for August 31, 2024.

While the match will also be broadcast on Supersport, the deal with SABC allows broader access for South African fans to witness this significant event, a rematch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

Supersport, which holds the broadcasting rights for Test matches, indicated that this partnership was established to commemorate 30 years of democracy in South Africa, in collaboration with SA Rugby and the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.

The landmark agreement grants SABC the rights to broadcast the iconic Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.

Mark Alexander expressed gratitude towards SuperSport for their collaboration with the SABC, facilitating national participation in this historic sporting event. He highlighted that the partnership signifies a major milestone for rugby in South Africa, emphasizing social unity and the celebration of diversity.

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha noted the importance of joining forces to celebrate the nation’s democratic achievements, remarking that this match serves as a tribute to the historic encounter 30 years ago, when the Springboks faced the All Blacks for the first time in a post-election environment.

This match will take place at the same venue where the Springboks triumphed over the All Blacks to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup—a watershed moment in South Africa’s history, underscored by the late President Nelson Mandela handing the trophy to then-captain Francois Pienaar.

Nomsa Chabeli, SABC Group Chief Executive Officer, stated that the organization’s efforts have allowed a larger segment of the South African population to participate in the rugby experience. She reaffirmed SABC’s commitment to providing universal access to national sporting events and celebrating key moments in the country’s history.