Sky Sports has finalized a fresh agreement with SANZAAR—the governing body that unites South African, New Zealand, Australian and Argentine rugby—to secure the international rugby broadcasting rights for the period spanning 2026 to 2030. This arrangement builds on a partnership that has endured for more than thirty years, reinforcing the long‑standing relationship between the broadcaster and the southern‑hemisphere rugby consortium.
Under the terms of the deal, Sky Sports will be the exclusive home for the highly anticipated "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series, a marquee tour in which the All Blacks will complete an eight‑match itinerary across South Africa. The tour kicks off on Friday, 7 August, and will be broadcast live to viewers throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In addition to the four official Test matches, Sky will also televise the four ancillary fixtures against provincial club sides, giving fans a comprehensive view of the entire tour. The schedule is as follows: - **Friday, 7 August – Stormers vs New Zealand** in Cape Town, where the All Blacks secured a 38‑21 victory. - **Tuesday, 11 August – Sharks vs New Zealand** in Durban, a one‑sided affair that ended 54‑0 in favour of New Zealand.
- **Saturday, 15 August – Bulls vs New Zealand** in Pretoria, slated for a 6 pm BST kickoff. - **Saturday, 22 August – First Test: South Africa vs New Zealand** at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, broadcast at 4:10 pm BST. - **Tuesday, 25 August – Lions vs New Zealand** in Johannesburg, with a 6 pm BST start time.
- **Saturday, 29 August – Second Test: South Africa vs New Zealand** in Cape Town, also at 4:10 pm BST. - **Saturday, 5 September – Third Test: South Africa vs New Zealand** at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, again at 4:10 pm BST.
- **Saturday, 12 September – Fourth Test: South Africa vs New Zealand** at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, scheduled for 10 pm BST. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience, ensuring smooth streaming of the high‑definition coverage. Beyond this specific tour, the agreement also guarantees that Sky Sports will broadcast the Rugby Championship in 2027, 2028 and 2029, as well as the Bledisloe Cup and other SANZAAR‑sanctioned internationals in both 2026 and 2030.
The partnership looks ahead to 2030 when Sky will turn its lenses onto South Africa's reciprocal tour of New Zealand, completing a full circle of southern‑hemisphere rugby exchange. The deal is not limited to live match coverage.
Fans in the UK and Ireland will also have access to a suite of on‑demand content, including match clips, highlights, and analysis through Sky's digital platforms and social media channels. This multi‑platform approach is designed to keep rugby enthusiasts engaged throughout the week, even when they cannot watch the full broadcast.
Brendan Morris, Chief Executive of SANZAAR, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed partnership: "SANZAAR is delighted to retain Sky Sports as a rights holder broadcaster in the UK for the next iteration of our international rugby tournaments. We have partnered with Sky Sports for over 25 years and rugby fans in the UK will continue to enjoy world‑class action from Super Rugby Pacific, The Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and additional tour matches, including this year's series between South Africa and New Zealand." Sky Sports is also encouraging viewers to personalise their experience by selecting the sports notifications they wish to receive, downloading the dedicated Sky Sports app, and following the broadcaster on WhatsApp for real‑time updates and exclusive content.
In summary, the new five‑year deal cements Sky Sports' role as the premier destination for live southern‑hemisphere rugby in the UK and Ireland. Starting with the eight‑match New Zealand tour of South Africa on 7 August, the coverage will span every Test, every provincial clash, and a host of ancillary tournaments through 2030, ensuring that fans have uninterrupted access to the sport's most compelling narratives and moments.