by Thinus Ferreira
France's Canal+ has signed a new multi-year renewal deal with SA Rugby to keep all of the South African Rugby Union's (Saru) domestic competitions, Springbok women and junior age-group matches on MultiChoice's SuperSport in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is the first sports content contract Canal+ has signed with a South African sports federation body since it took over MultiChoice in September 2025.
Neither Canal+ Africa nor Saru disclosed the terms or value of the deal, nor how many years the "multi-year" contract extension is for.
Sport content, especially rugby, remains a crucial component for Canal+'s MultiChoice to try and limit DStv cord-cutting and churn, with Canal+ trying to win back millions of DStv subscribers who have abandoned the traditional pay-TV operator over the past three years.
"As promised we are doubling down on our investment in local content, including the sports content that matters the most to people on the continent," says David Mignot, Canal+ Africa CEO, in a statement.
"In the South African market, rugby has grown into becoming a part of the national psyche – as evidenced by the national euphoria that erupted each time the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup."
Mark Alexander, Saru president, says "We are very happy to have concluded our first agreement with the MultiChoice Group and Canal+ group after a thorough and extensive series of engagements."
"They have demonstrated a shared understanding of the importance of rugby to the South African public and we trust this is the first of many such agreements."
Rian Oberholzer, SA Rugby CEO, says "Broadcasting rights are fundamental to the health and sustainability of sport in South Africa and rugby is no different".
"SuperSport has been a long-standing and trusted partner to South African rugby, and we are delighted to continue our partnership. The world of rugby and broadcasting has changed significantly since we signed our first agreement in the 1990s but it is a testimony to our mutual interests that the partnership continues to endure."
Rendani Ramovha, Canal+ Africa director for sports content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa, says in the supplied quote, "The renewal of the domestic broadcast agreement is not just the strengthening of our long-standing partnership with SA Rugby but a victory for DStv viewers and subscribers, who have come to trust us to bring the best sports content to them in our world-class broadcast quality."
"To be able to continue this promise is a proud moment for us, and it reaffirms our commitment to the sports fan. We're grateful to our partners at SA Rugby for their collaborative spirit."