SABC Strikes Deal to Broadcast Springboks vs Italy Match Live for All South Africans

In a major win for sports accessibility, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has secured the rights to air the much-anticipated Test match between the Springboks and Italy — live and free for millions of South Africans.

Set for Saturday, 12 July 2025, at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the clash forms part of the Castle Lager Incoming Series and commemorates a milestone moment in the nation’s sporting history: the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup victory.

A Match That Belongs to Every South African

SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli confirmed the public broadcaster had reached a sublicensing agreement with SuperSport and SA Rugby, ensuring the Test is accessible on SABC platforms.

“It made sense for the SABC to participate in the 30th anniversary commemoration of that epic match where we won the World Cup,” said Chabeli. “In collaboration with SA Rugby and SuperSport, we saw the opportunity for the public broadcaster to make this momentous occasion available to all South Africans.”

This isn’t the first time the trio has teamed up to bring historic matches to the people. During the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a similar partnership enabled SABC to screen key Springbok games — including the final, when South Africa lifted their fourth world title.

Bridging the Gap Through Partnerships

Chabeli emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships to ensure that top-tier sport doesn’t remain locked behind paywalls.

“Look, the reality is that sports rights come with a heavy price tag. Nearly 70% of income for unions comes from broadcast rights — so someone has to pay for it,” she explained.

She added that even this upcoming fixture required a commercial agreement with SuperSport to secure free-to-air broadcast access.

“For rugby and other sporting codes to remain truly inclusive, public broadcasters like SABC need support — from government and stakeholders — to build a value proposition that allows these moments to reach all corners of the country.”

A Shared Celebration

The Test match against Italy won’t just be another game — it’s a symbolic celebration of the unity and pride sparked in 1995, when a nation rallied behind the Springboks in a moment that reshaped South African sport forever.

And now, three decades later, the legacy lives on — not just in stadiums, but in homes across the country, as the Bokke take the field once again in a match the whole nation can watch together.

Source:Sabc Sport 

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