Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry has delivered a major financial boost for SA Rugby.
The governing body says the inaugural four-Test series against New Zealand is reported to have generated more than R250 million for its coffers. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer is highly satisfied with the first edition of the concept, which featured three Tests in South Africa and a series decider in the United States.
The financial injection comes at an important time for SA Rugby, with the Springboks set to play fewer Tests in 2027 because of the Rugby World Cup, resulting in millions of rand less in broadcast-rights revenue from SuperSport.
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Oberholzer says the impact of the Greatest Rivalry went beyond what SA Rugby initially expected.
“When the concept was first discussed with New Zealand, we believed that the event had merit as a rugby occasion and one that would excite supporters in both countries,” he told Rapport.
“But I think it is fair to say that it exceeded our expectations in how quickly and decisively it attracted broader rugby attention and how successful it was as an event here in South Africa and in the USA.”
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The series culminated in Baltimore, where the fourth Test attracted the biggest crowd ever for a rugby match in the United States.
“A British and Irish Lions tour is a very special event with a history and a legacy that stretches back more than a century and is completely unique,” he said.
“That said, we believe that rugby’s Greatest Rivalry has already established itself as an important event on the global rugby calendar.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post Oberholzer hails ‘major’ Greatest Rivalry appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry has delivered a major financial boost for SA Rugby.
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