SA Rugby has reported a record income of R2 billion in 2025, thanks to a 51% increase in sponsorship revenue, which jumped from R488m to R739m. This significant boost enabled the governing body to invest a quarter of its total income directly into the Springboks, Springbok Women, Springbok Sevens, Junior Boks, and other national teams.
Investment in National Teams
According to SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer, the investment has borne on-field dividends, with the Springboks’ continued success mirrored by other national teams. The Blitzboks won the HSBC SVNS World Championship in 2025, while the Junior Springboks won the U20 world title for the first time in 13 years. The Springbok Women also reached the play-off stages of the World Cup for the first time and broke into the world’s top ten.
SA Rugby’s group revenues increased by 29% from R1.5bn in 2024 to R2bn in 2025, with R500m spent directly on the Springboks (R281m) and the High-Performance Department (R221m), into which all other national teams fall. The change in the Test match hosting model, which saw SA Rugby take ownership and delivery of Springbok matches, yielded R402m in revenues with a match day cost of R213m.
Merchandise Sales and Royalty Revenue
SA Rugby also enjoyed significant growth in merchandise sales through the opening of two Springbok stores, resulting in royalty revenue of R78m. This growth in revenue is a testament to the popularity of the Springboks and the demand for rugby merchandise in South Africa.
Despite the jump in revenues, SA Rugby still ended the year reporting a pre-taxation loss for the group of R40m, highlighting the ongoing challenges towards long-term solvency. However, the accounts support the view that SA Rugby could continue as a going concern into the foreseeable future. As noted on the South African Rugby Union Wikipedia page, the organization has been working to future-proof its financial sustainability.
- Record income of R2 billion in 2025
- 51% increase in sponsorship revenue
- R500m spent directly on national teams
- Springbok Women reached play-off stages of World Cup for the first time
Mark Alexander, president of SARU, said: “SA Rugby has demonstrated its resilience in a challenging operating environment for many years — especially through COVID — and we have taken deliberate steps to future-proof our financial sustainability, such as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour and the Nations Championship. A return to sustainable profitability is within reach.” For more information on the World Rugby organization and its initiatives,
