In a timely move just ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup kickoff in France, the pay-tv operator MultiChoice has inked a pivotal agreement with South Africa’s public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). This landmark deal opens the door for rugby enthusiasts across South Africa to immerse themselves in the action-packed spectacle of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The agreement, which materialized on the cusp of the inaugural match pitting France against New Zealand, signifies a significant step towards broadening the accessibility of this globally renowned sporting event.
Under the terms of the agreement disclosed by MultiChoice, SABC has secured the rights to broadcast 16 matches during the six-week-long tournament, culminating with the final showdown slated to grace the hallowed turf of Stade de France in Saint-Denis on the 28th of October.
MultiChoice’s statement detailed the list of matches that SABC will have the privilege of broadcasting, including:
The grand opening ceremony and the inaugural match.
All matches featuring the revered Springboks.
A duo of riveting quarter-final encounters.
One gripping semi-final clash.
The bronze final.
The climactic final showdown and the enchanting closing ceremony.
Importantly, these fixtures will be available to SABC viewers, regardless of whether the national team, the Springboks, advances beyond the knockout stages—an assurance that promises to keep fans glued to their screens throughout the tournament.
Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice SA, expressed his satisfaction with the collaborative spirit behind this agreement, stating, “We are pleased to have reached an arrangement with the SABC in the spirit of cooperation.”
While the precise financial terms of the deal, including the amount SABC will pay for the broadcasting rights, remain undisclosed, the news was met with warm approval from South Africa’s Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa. He lauded the agreement, emphasizing its significance in ensuring that South Africans can witness critical matches in the tournament, notably those featuring the national heroes, the Springboks.
Kodwa celebrated the ground breaking accord, affirming its potential to unite the nation through the sport of rugby. He stated, “I welcome this ground breaking agreement, which will allow all South Africans to watch the world champions, the Springboks, as they defend their Rugby World Cup title.”
He went on to underscore the unifying power of rugby, highlighting its role in fostering social cohesion and national unity, a phenomenon evident in the past victories of the Springboks on the grand stage of the Rugby World Cup.
