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The South African Rugby Union (Saru) is seeking legal advice on a six-month order from the Competition Tribunal which it says, if extended, would severely undermine the Springboks’ financial model for back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.
The order effectively allows eMedia to broadcast the SABC’s coverage of the Springbok match on its Openview platform without eMedia having to pay any fees to the SABC, even though the SABC has already paid SuperSport for the broadcast rights.
The order led to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) suspending its planned broadcast of the Springboks’ Castle Lager Incoming Series match against Ireland, a move Saru supported.
Saru president Mark Alexander said: “eMedia’s attempt to end exclusivity on sports broadcasting rights will slash rights fees, but it is sports itself that will be most affected, severely impacting our programming from the grassroots to the Springboks who won the Rugby World Cup for two consecutive years.”
Alexander said this short-term measure taken by the South African Broadcasting Corporation was crucial for the long-term survival of the sport.
“It may be a minor issue and not well known to the public, but it is critical to the future of the Springboks and South African rugby, affecting not just the broadcasters but the sport itself,” he said.
There is no conflict between SuperSport and the SABC
Alexander stressed that SuperSport and the South African Broadcasting Corporation have reached an agreement to broadcast the Castle Lager series against Ireland.
“To be clear, this is not a conflict between SuperSport and the SABC – they have contracts in place to broadcast the games on appropriate commercial terms,” he explained.
“It was the intervention of eMedia and its demand that OVHD be allowed to broadcast rugby matches without receiving any financial assistance from eMedia that led to the termination of the agreement.
Saru was not invited to the court
Alexander explained that despite the significant impact on SARU’s sustainability, Saru was not invited to participate in the proceedings that led to the court order.
“eMedia is a well-funded private company that produces television content at its own expense and buys content from filmmakers and other broadcasters. It is ridiculous that they are allowed to broadcast sporting events without contributing to the support and development of the sporting events,” Alexander added.
Saru stressed the hope that the Springboks’ games would be shown on the national broadcaster.
The Springboks won their first Test match against Ireland last weekend. This weekend is the second Test match between the two sides, which will be played in the city.
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