Vodacom and SA Rugby sign historic partnership

From left to right: Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Sitho Mdlalose (CEO of Vodacom South Africa), Rian Oberholzer (CEO of SA Rugby), André Esterhuizen and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Johan Rynners.

Vodacom and SA Rugby have signed a landmark partnership agreement, naming Vodacom the first and exclusive official telecommunications partner to all national Springbok teams and SA Rugby affiliated competitions. This builds on Vodacom’s longstanding relationship with the sport and represents the most comprehensive sponsorships in the history of South African rugby.

From junior to senior, men’s and women’s teams, and grassroots to global glory, this partnership connects every layer of the game – placing Vodacom at the heart of rugby and in the hearts of the fans, 365 days a year.

This new agreement expands Vodacom’s existing sponsorship portfolio – which already includes the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the Vodacom Bulls – into an unrivalled alignment that offers South African rugby supporters the complete experience of their beloved game.

South African rugby is about to go from “Front Row to Extraordinary”, with Vodacom now the official telecommunications partner to:

• Springbok Men’s and Women’s 15s and 7s teams

• Junior Springbok Men’s and Women’s U20 teams

• SA Rugby junior development teams

• Carling Currie Cup

• SA Cup

• The new Women’s Super League competition currently in planning

This partnership marks a significant evolution of Vodacom’s support of South African rugby, which dates back to 1995. From the Vodacom Super Rugby era to the rise of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, where South African teams have reached every Grand Final since the competition’s inception, Vodacom has consistently backed the sport’s development and demonstrated real-world impact.

Vodacom has also been and continues to be a proud sponsor of South Africa’s most successful team, the Vodacom Bulls, in a partnership that since 2004 has celebrated:

• 3 Vodacom Super Rugby titles

• 1 Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked title

• 5 Carling Currie Cup titles

• A record 3 appearances in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final.

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.”

With this bold move, Vodacom continues to demonstrate its position as the Champions Network for Champion Teams and Competitions, celebrating a shared passion for excellence and national pride.

“We are incredibly proud to deepen our longstanding 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.”