Fans won’t be able to watch the world champion Springboks clash with Ireland in Mzansi on SABC after the public broadcaster canned its coverage of the two-match series.
Skipper Siya Kolisi is among the 20 World Cup winners who will line up for the Boks against Ireland in the first Test at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
However, the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) has announced it will no longer broadcast, as previously advertised, the matches in the Republic between the top-ranked rugby teams on the planet.
This decision comes after urgent litigation over broadcast rights forced the SABC to reconsider its sub-license agreement with MultiChoice.
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“The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) regrets that it will no longer be able to broadcast the Springbok Inbound Test matches against Ireland on Saturday, the 6th, and Saturday the 13th July 2024, as previously communicated,” the SABC stated.
“This decision follows the recent urgent litigation at the Competition Appeal Court over the broadcast rights to the Test matches which necessitated the SABC to review its decision to continue with the sub-license Agreement concluded with Multichoice.”
MultiChoice acknowledges the SABC’s decision and regrets the termination of the agreement: “Whilst the public broadcaster’s decision is regrettable, MultiChoice fully respects and accepts the decision.
MultiChoice will continue engaging with the SABC in seeking a working relationship that would benefit both viewers and sports bodies.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post SABC pulls plug on Bok-Ireland Tests appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
