The news on Thursday that the second Test between the Springboks and Italy on July 12 will be televised live on the national broadcaster is excellent for the SA public.
It’s no secret that Springbok rugby in South Africa can typically only be viewed on paid-TV broadcaster SuperSport.
That excludes the majority of the SA public from watching the Springboks play live.
Occasionally though, SuperSport SA Rugby (Saru) and the SABC broker deals to have Springbok matches televised on the national broadcaster.
The Unifying Power of the 1995 Rugby World Cup
Saru president Mark Alexander cited the example of the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a great way to unify the country, as the 30th anniversary of the victory in the final was celebrated late last month.
“The 1995 triumph was a moment that captured the attention of the world – revealing unmatched power of sport to bring people together, to heal deep wounds and to inspire a country that was still finding its feet as a young democracy,” said Alexander.
“As Saru, we are working closely with our broadcasters to ensure that all South Africans can be part of this historic occasion.”
SA Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie has said it was his aim to get more Springbok games shown on SABC, but that seems to still be a work in progress.
Nomsa Chabeli, the SABC’s Group CEO, said: “The public broadcaster extends its appreciation to SARU and SuperSport for the spirit in which negotiations took place, to enable us to broadcast this historic match.
“It is important that the SABC is not left out of key national sporting events, which bring the nation together, and rugby has been very instrumental in doing that.
“This agreement also highlights the reach that the public broadcaster has in universal access to the nation through its TV and radio platforms, as millions of South Africans will have an opportunity to witness this historic moment.
“We call upon all South Africans to tune in, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Rugby World Cup win in 1995.”
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
