After enjoying a successful eight-year long sponsorship agreement, SA Rugby has opted not to continue with telecom giants MTN, and rather pursue something new with the popular First National Bank (FNB).
MTN’s sponsorship with SA Rugby, particularly the Springboks came at a challenging time for the sport as the team’s underwhelming overall performance led to immense backlash and critique, making seeking sponsors a difficult task. MTN stepped in as a major backer when the organisation sough to revatilise the sport and its winning culture.
In the time MTN sponsored SA Rugby, the Springboks have gone on to become the team to beat, and pulled off the only back-to-back World Cup wins in rugby history. Furthermore, the telecom giants invested approximately R30 million to the organisation, in an effort to bring about grassroot development to the sport in the country, so as to maintain the dominance that has been established for years to come, as per SA Rugby’s website.
Since it has been revealed that MTN chose not to renew the agreement so as to expore new opportunites, the Springbok’s official Instagram page revealed that major bank FNB is up next as their next sponsor. After spending some time on the shoulder part of the jersey, the FNB logo will now be taking front and center for the Springboks men and women’s team, the Blitzboks’ men’s and women’s team as well as all the team’s age groups.
“FNB has been an outstanding partner to the Springboks and rugby for many years and we are delighted that we have aligned to take the relationship to the next level… To have them partner all our national teams is a step change for our game and we look forward to continuing a long and successful partnership,” says CEO of SA Rugby Rian Oberholzer.
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With the commendable work they have done with major events such as the coveted Varsity Cup, fans of the sport have welcomed this new revelation with open arms as they believe that FNB will successfully take over MTN’s ropes with ease.
” This just… feels right,” one Instagram user says.
They have been holding that @varsitycup for days on lock ? happy for @FNBSA
— LordPiccolo (@LordPiccoloSA) March 27, 2025
CHAMPIONS! Springboks have a new sponsor, FNB! New sponsor means new rules! ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/bxTfnej26B
— Rory Petzer (@RoryPetzer) March 26, 2025
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