In a significant development, Sky Sports has inked a deal with South African, New Zealand, Australian and Argentina Rugby (SANZAAR) to secure exclusive broadcast rights for international rugby matches from 2026-2030. As part of this agreement, Sky Sports will provide live coverage of New Zealand's highly anticipated eight-match tour of South Africa, commencing on August 7. The tour will feature four Test matches against the South African national team, in addition to four non-Test matches against local club sides.
The schedule includes matches such as the Stormers vs New Zealand, Sharks vs New Zealand, and the Bulls vs New Zealand. Furthermore, the Rugby Championship for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029 will also be broadcast, along with the Bledisloe Cup and other SANZAAR internationals in 2026 and 2030. Fans in the UK and Ireland will have access to match highlights and clips across Sky's digital and social platforms.
SANZAAR's Chief Executive, Brendan Morris, expressed his delight at retaining Sky Sports as a broadcast partner, citing the network's long-standing commitment to showcasing world-class rugby action. The partnership, which spans over 25 years, will continue to bring top-notch rugby coverage to fans in the UK, including Super Rugby Pacific, The Rugby Championship, and the Bledisloe Cup.