Allowing South Africa vs New Zealand to clash with NFL is classic rugby Sport Business South Africa and New Zealand choosing to stage their money-spinning Greatest Rivalry rugby match in Baltimore on the opening weekend of the NFL season is, at best, short-sighted and realistically rather daft. What is the point in the sport trying to break the US, five years out from a North American World Cup many are [...]
England Rugby in first ever back-of-shirt deal with £5m a year Lloyds signing Sport Business Banking giant Lloyds has become England Rugby’s first ever back-of-shirt partner after the world’s richest union added the City staple to its sponsorship portfolio. It comes six months after City AM revealed Lloyds had held talks with England chiefs over back-of-shirt and back-of-shorts sponsorship. The deal will see the financial giant’s logo appear above the [...]
RFU left waiting on Twickenham gig planning meeting after NIMBY opposition Sport Business England Rugby chiefs are being forced to wait for a crucial planning meeting over the future of events at Allianz Stadium. Hopes had been raised that a meeting to determine whether the Twickenham arena could significantly boost its number of non-sporting events – from three to 15 – would be held in September. But the [...]
Women’s rugby can teach the men’s game exactly what it needs right now September 6, 2026 For the last 10 years, the story of women’s rugby has been told through the lens of investment and comparison. How quickly could it catch up with the men’s game? When would attendances improve? When would broadcasters pay for it and big brand sponsors follow? Those were understandable questions, but they are now the wrong [...]
Prem Rugby needs a draft, but not one for the very best players September 4, 2026 Top flight domestic rugby is back this weekend in the form of the Prem Rugby Cup – the former Anglo-Welsh, British and Irish, and inter-Prem/Champ competition that is now just a little bit of a nothing league. But that’s for another day. Because the return of rugby in England feels underhyped. We’ve had an entire [...]
Why the smart money should be on rugby sevens September 3, 2026 Why should we be taking more notice of rugby sevens at the moment, asks former player Jim Hamilton. There are different versions of rugby, and while the 15-a-side game will always be my Everest, sevens offers something completely different. The sport is simple to follow, fast and incredibly athletic, and it allows individual personalities and [...]
South Africa need cash from New Zealand Tests but All Blacks fans not like Lions August 21, 2026 It is quite simple really: the Greatest Rivalry series between South Africa and New Zealand, which starts on Saturday, needs to be a real money-spinner for the Springboks. It should see every seat occupied for the three Tests – in Johannesburg and Cape Town – and healthy crowds for the All Blacks matches against the [...]
London City 7s sign up Springbok-producing powerhouse varsity team August 19, 2026 In less than a month a Springbok-producing university team will join Bordeaux at the London City 7s. This Saturday the Greatest Rivalry resumes as New Zealand take on South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. It is the first time the All Blacks have undertaken a full tour of South Africa in 30 years. Up [...]
South Africa sport minister on Olympics bid, Formula 1, Springboks and LIV Golf August 17, 2026 When you think of sport in South Africa images from the 1995 Rugby World Cup come to mind alongside the sound of vuvuzelas en masse in 2010 and Chad le Clos (and his father, Bert) at the London 2012 Olympic Games. But there remains a feeling that the Rainbow Nation, and the wider African continent [...]
Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns August 14, 2026 Earlier this month the Wales Rugby Union announced ticket price hikes for the Six Nations and if nothing else it is utterly tone deaf. Over the Severn Bridge the sport is in turmoil, with regions fighting for their lives not only because of difficult macroeconomic factors but because their own governing body is actively trying [...]