URC and Castle Lager join forces to elevate the South African fan experience

Rugby is tough. It’s relentless. And it brings people together like nothing else. That’s why the United Rugby Championship is proud to team up with Castle Lager — a brand that has stood the test of time — as the official beer sponsor of the Championship in South Africa. Here’s to great rugby, great moments and raising a Castle to every hard-fought win.

The URC has shown remarkable growth since the South African franchises officially joined the competition in 2021. Over the next three editions of the URC, Castle Lager will bring fans together to enjoy the action — beer in hand — from South Africa’s greatest rugby cathedrals to the comfort of their local pub or in front of the braai, tongs at the ready.

Whether you are cheering for The Pride of Jozi — the Lions — in their quest for a Top 8 finish, supporting the Hollywoodbets Sharks and their star-studded squad, or following the Vodacom Bulls under new coach Johan Ackermann, Castle Lager will be there to celebrate victories and ease the disappointment of defeat. DHL Stormers fans, meanwhile, will get to enjoy Castle Lager while eagerly watching their side attempt to emulate their 2021/22 championship-winning run.

“Castle Lager has a legacy in South African sport,” said Thomas Lawrence, Castle Lager's Brand Manager.

“We have long-standing relationships with the country’s three major sporting codes — Bafana Bafana, the Proteas and the Springboks — and the BKT URC sponsorship is a natural extension of that. Rugby is part of the DNA of South Africans. Fans have rallied together in recent years to make the BKT URC the country’s best expression of the sport.

“Castle Lager exists to bring fans together around the things they love most; and for South Africans, that’s braai, good times and rugby. This partnership with the BKT URC is about uniting South Africans through the sport.

“At the heart of Castle Lager,” Lawrence continued, “is the drive to bring people together and at the heart of the BKT URC is the drive to bring teams and rivalries together. It made perfect sense for Castle Lager to sign on with the BKT URC, so we can help fans celebrate being South African while celebrating rugby.”

Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, said: “When the South African franchises joined the BKT URC, it transformed the competition and ignited a new level of excitement. In just a few short years, we’ve seen record-breaking growth in viewership and attendances, showing how deeply this league resonates with South Africans. Rugby in South Africa is not just a sport — it’s a way of life. That’s why we are so proud to welcome Castle Lager as our official partner in South Africa. Their legacy in uniting fans through sport perfectly complements our mission to connect teams, players and supporters across borders.

“Partnering with Castle Lager, a brand that shares in South Africa’s proud sporting heritage, allows us to strengthen that connection even further. Together, we will celebrate the rivalries, the triumphs and the spirit of rugby that make the BKT URC in South Africa so special.”

The new season of the URC kicks off on Friday, September 26, with the Stormers hosting Irish giants and defending champions Leinster at DHL Stadium. The following day, the Bulls will start their campaign at Loftus Versfeld against Welsh outfit the Ospreys. Castle Lager will be there to enhance the fan experience.

The Sharks and Lions, meanwhile, will be away in Scotland and Ireland for the opening round, facing Glasgow Warriors and Cardiff Rugby, respectively. Fans at Hollywoodbets Kings Park and Ellis Park will then be counting down the days to October to enjoy the full Castle Lager experience.

Fans can look forward to a host of Castle Lager activations throughout the URC season. Whether cheering in person or joining the action online, supporters will have plenty of ways to show their colours, connect with fellow fans to make their URC experience unforgettable.

“Supporters can expect the premium fan experiences Castle Lager always delivers,” Lawrence explained.

“Expect music, activations, promotions and socialising with like-minded fans — all with Castle Lager — at venues in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Throughout the tournament, Castle Lager will engage fans through limited-edition can designs, making it clear who is cheering for whom.”

As the URC season kicks off, Castle Lager will be there every step of the way — bringing fans together, celebrating the highs, sharing the lows, and making every try, tackle and triumph even more memorable. Because whether at the stadium, in the pub, or around the braai, there’s nothing better than enjoying the URC with a Castle Lager in hand.

The 2025/26 United Rugby Championship - 151 matches across 21 weekends, 16 teams, five territories, in two hemispheres.

Season Schedule

Round 1: September 26/27

Round 2: October 3/4

Round 3: October 10/11

Round 4: October 17/18

Round 5: October 24/25

Round 6: November 28/29

Round 7 (Festive Derbies): December 19/20

Round 8 (Festive Derbies): December 26/27

Round 9 (Festive Derbies): January 2/3

Round 10: January 23/24

Round 11: January 30/31

Round 12: February 27/28

Round 13: March 20/21

Round 14: March 27/28

Round 15: April 17/18

Round 16: April 24/25

Round 17: May 8/9

Round 18: May 15/16

Play-off Schedule

Quarter-finals: May 29/30

Semi-finals: June 6/7

Grand Final: June 20