Six Nations must move match to US for sake of international game Sport Business The months of February and March really are rugby’s golden period; when the world stops to watch the Six Nations. England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy all going at it over five rounds really shows off the best of the sport. It makes money, it is attractive to private equity and fans adore the [...]
Springboks and All Blacks to play Test rugby in Baltimore, United States Sport Business The Springboks and All Blacks will face off in the United States as international rugby ramps up its presence across the pond. New Zealand and South Africa will head to the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore – home of NFL franchise Baltimore Ravens – next September as part of their “Greatest Rivalry” series, a version [...]
European stadiums to bid for South Africa rugby Test vs New Zealand Sport Business Top European stadiums are set to battle it out to host a special rugby Test match between New Zealand and South Africa. The All Blacks and Springboks have announced a British and Irish Lions-style tour for 2026 with New Zealand heading to the African continent. The tour will culminate in three Tests across Johannesburg and [...]
Exclusive: Wembley in line to stage Springboks match against Japan August 18, 2025 The world champion South Africa rugby team will play at Wembley Stadium in November in a repeat of their “Miracle of Brighton” match against Japan, Morning Wire understands. The Springboks, currently playing in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, will head to Europe in November for their traditional tour. They’re listed to face France on 8 [...]
FNB to replace MTN as sponsor of South Africa Rugby’s Springboks March 25, 2025 Rugby world champions South Africa will unveil First National Bank (FNB) as its new front-of-shirt sponsor after ditching MTN, Morning Wire understands. The Springboks announced on Tuesday that an eight-year partnership between the team and the mobile telecommunications provider had concluded following a spell that saw the senior men’s team win back-to-back Rugby World Cups [...]
Coca-Cola could return as major Premier League partner March 25, 2025 Soft drinks giant Coca-Cola could return as a major Premier League commercial partner having left the English top flight in 2022. The US firm is reportedly in talks with the Premier League over a multimillion pound agreement. The deal could be passed at a Premier League shareholder meeting later this week, Sky News’ Mark Kleinman [...]
Springboks face new bid for stake by Leeds United private equity investors Ackerley Sports Group January 6, 2025 The world champion Springboks could sell off a stake of their commercial rights company to investors in Leeds United as South African rugby looks for a stronger financial footing. Seattle-based firm Ackerley Sports Group LLC is reportedly set to revive plans to invest in the 2023 Rugby World Cup winners after an initial bid foundered [...]
Springboks enter long-term deal with British rugby brand Rhino January 1, 2025 The South Africa rugby Springboks have a seven-year deal with ball supplier Rhino in a major boost to the British-founded brand. The deal will see the world champions use Rhino balls for their home Test matches while the agreement stretches to the women’s international team, and the Currie Cup. Rian Oberholzer, chief executive of SA [...]
Ollie Phillips: Dupont leads my 2024 rugby union awards December 20, 2024 For my last rugby union column of 2024 in print it’s only right that we hand out a couple of awards covering the last 12 months. Rugby has seen an Olympic Games sit front and centre of the calendar while there have been some surprises in terms of domestic winners. It wasn’t easy but I’ve [...]
Fortress Twickenham breached: England in a dark, dark place November 18, 2024 England’s 29-20 loss to South Africa was their fifth defeat on the bounce. Fortress Twickenham has been breached and Eddie Jones is up next for Steve Borthwick. If deep-pocketed disruptors really were to tempt more than 100 players away from their clubs to form a LIV Golf-style rugby competition as mooted last week, they’d be [...]