Why SABC’s Springbok Test blackout is the right decision

In a major announcement for all South African rugby fans made late last month, it was confirmed that a number of key Springbok test matches would be broadcast by public broadcaster SABC.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) initially said the Springboks’ upcoming two Test matches against Ireland in July would be broadcast on public television, albeit with a delay.

However, just before the first test it became clear that this would no longer be possible due to an urgent legal case that forced SABC to review the sub-licensing agreement with MultiChoice-owned SuperSport.

At the heart of the issue is an order by the Competition Tribunal that effectively allows eMedia to broadcast the SABC’s coverage of the Springbok matches on its Openview platform without eMedia compensating the SABC for this, despite the fact that the SABC paid SuperSport for the broadcast rights.

South Africa Rugby chairman Mark Alexander has stressed that while it was his organisation’s wish that Springbok matches be broadcast on national television, this short-term measure is crucial to the long-term viability of the sport.

“This may seem like a small and obscure issue to the general public, but it is of critical importance to the Springboks and the future of rugby in South Africa, and has implications not only for broadcasters but for the sport itself,” Alexander said.

“If this six-month order is extended it would seriously undermine the financial model that has enabled us to produce successive Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok teams.

“To be clear, this is not a conflict between SuperSport and the SABC – they had a contract to broadcast the matches on appropriate commercial terms,” he added.

“It was the intervention of eMedia and its demand that OVHD be allowed to broadcast the rugby without any financial contribution from eMedia that put an end to this agreement.

“eMedia’s attempts to end the exclusivity of sports broadcasting rights would drastically reduce rights costs, with sport itself suffering the most. This would have a serious impact on our broadcast programming, from grassroots level to the Springboks, who won the Rugby World Cup twice in a row.”

Complicated picture: SA Rugby, SABC, SuperSport and the Springboks

Alexander explained that SARU was not invited to participate in the proceedings leading to the Tribunal’s ruling, despite its significant impact on SARU’s sustainability.

“eMedia is a well-funded private company that pays to make television content and buys content from filmmakers and other broadcasters. It is absurd that they are allowed to broadcast sports without contributing to its support and development.”

Another point of view?

New Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has said South Africa cannot profile itself as a pro-poor country if the Springbok Test matches are not open to all.

“We need them to share the Springbok joy. We can’t say we’re a pro-poor country but we don’t have the Boks on SABC. This has to change, it MUST change. It’s going to change.”

SARU is seeking legal advice on the court ruling, while MultiChoice said in a statement on Friday that it would remain in discussions with the SABC.