Together with their sponsorship of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the deal with the South African telecommunications giant represents one of the most comprehensive partnerships in the history of the South African game.

This new sponsorship now tracks every aspect of the game from junior to senior, men and women, and homegrown to hero, placing Vodacom right at the heart of rugby and firmly in the hearts of the fans for 365 days of action.

“We are incredibly proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Vodacom, a brand that has been a true supporter of South African rugby for three decades,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“They have been part of the local rugby landscape for a long time and in recent years, have played a major role in establishing the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in the hearts and minds of our most ardent supporters.

“Vodacom’s expanded commitment to include all our national teams and local competitions is not only a vote of confidence in SA Rugby, but also a powerful endorsement of the direction we are heading. Their investment enables us to continue growing the game at every level – from grassroots to the global stage – and we look forward to this next chapter together.”

Vodacom will become the official telecommunications partner for the Springbok men’s and women’s teams in both 15s and sevens, the Junior Springbok men’s and women’s teams, SA Rugby’s junior development teams, the Carling Currie Cup, the SA Cup and a new Women’s Super League competition, which is currently in planning.

This partnership entrenches Vodacom’s longstanding support of South African rugby since 1995 and across multiple evolutions of the competitive landscape, from the Vodacom Super Rugby era to the Vodacom URC, where South African teams have featured in every Grand Final since the competition’s inception four seasons ago.

The partnership also presents Vodacom and SA Rugby with an unprecedented opportunity of consolidation throughout South African rugby as new audiences can now benefit from new levels of engagement and experiences.

Commenting on the announcement, Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa, said: “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with SA Rugby in giving our game unprecedented exposure and reach at every facet of fan involvement, and especially growing the women’s game.

“This partnership aligns with our commitment to equity, inclusion, and driving positive social change in our communities and now, on our rugby fields. Rugby unites South Africans. This comprehensive partnership means fans now get even closer to the action – whether it’s watching the Springboks, celebrating rising stars, or enjoying extraordinary fan experiences across the country.”