SA Rugby to unlock new revenues as full shareholders in URC from next season
South Africa will see a bigger revenue picture when they become full partners in the United Rugby Championship (URC) from the end of June this year.
While the URC has treated the South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) and the four franchises the way full members have been treated, CEO Martin Anayi confirmed this week they will be granted equity in the URC and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) competitions.
SA Rugby's status as a full shareholder promises better financial gains for them, with the mother body no longer required to pay annual participation fees to the URC. The broadcasting and sponsor revenue will now be redirected directly through the URC structure from which SA is set to benefit.
'We effectively treat the South African Rugby Union and the four franchises the same way we do all our members already,' Anayi said this week.
'They are on the same boards and committees. They have the same decision-making. The key thing is they become a full shareholder from the end of June and that is a process that is on-going. From the impact point of view, it is substantial, most importantly from a competitive point of view. We've had three finals in South Africa.
'Yes, we've had two away wins, but those teams (from South Africa) are super competitive, and we've seen over 34 000 tickets sold for the Bulls vs Sharks game (the semi-final at Loftus) already. We had a huge number of tickets sold (last week) for the Sharks game (vs Munster) in the quarter-final. There is a huge engagement which drives everything else.
'It is a very positive relationship with all of the stakeholders in South African rugby, and they want to be part of the league. They are putting the league first. That is a massive boost for the URC. It is fantastic, but ultimately it starts with the most important thing; competitively, those teams are right up there, and they are pushing standards.'
Anayi added that the addition of the South African teams made the league more competitive than before. He said it's an important change in June, because South Africa becomes a full shareholder with it. Meaning, they will have equity in the league.
He continued that there is no indication that the local sides failed to live up to expectations in the tournament.
'That is a very hard argument to make seeing that SA had three finals in three years. I haven't had that, and it is not something that's been discussed around our table.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
42 minutes ago
- IOL News
Jake White: Goosen's return crucial for URC playoffs as Bulls eye victory over Sharks
Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen is back from injury and will start as flyhalf in the URC semi-final against the Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday Image: BackpagePix Johan Goosen trained like he hasn't been away and that is one of the reasons why Jake White included him in the Bulls' starting team for the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. The Pretoria side will look to snap a two-match losing streak this season on Saturday evening (6.15 pm kick-off) as they aim for a consecutive finals berth in the tournament. Goosen is the only change to the starting lineup, with Keagan Johannes dropping to the bench for the do-or-die duel. White says considering how well Goosen has played next to scrumhalf Embrose Papier and inside centre Harold Vorster, he has no doubt the flyhalf will slot in with ease. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'One thing about him (Johan) is that he is always in and out and in. So if anyone says he is not game-ready, that is usually how he has played in his career,' White explained the inclusion of the veteran. 'I am sure some of you guys watched a bit of training and those who have will see that it's like he hasn't been away. That is what I always say: at the end of these playoff games, you need your best players fit, available, and ready. Whatever happens during the season is just part of that building blocks. 'To have him back, we have 14 of the 15 players that played last week, so that is continuity. He is a Springbok and our number one 10. We have Keagan who's played really well for us on the bench. It is a good position to be in.' YOUR team to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks tomorrow at Loftus in our VURC Semi-Final 🔥🔥🔥 GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW 🏆 🎟️TICKETS ➡️ 🐂Vodacom Bulls vs Hollywoodbets Sharks 🗓️7 June | ⏰ 18:15 | LOFTUS @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA #ForeverBlue — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) June 6, 2025 White put a question mark behind the omission of Eben Etzebeth from the Sharks' announced squad. He added that they will worry about the team when they get to Loftus on Saturday. Etzebeth was not included in the Sharks' match-day squad with Siya Kolisi taking over as captain in his absence. According to White, they are preparing as if the Durbanites will bring their best team to Pretoria. 'This is probably one of the best Sharks teams on paper. It reminds of Pieter Muller, Henry Honiball, Jeremy Thompson, Kabous van der Westhuizen, and André Joubert. They were all Springboks. 'There are not many players in that team who are not Springboks. In fact, 15 of the 54 players (in the Bok squad for the mid-year Tests) are from the Sharks. So, it is not a bad team to have. 'They have played well in big games, whether it is the Challenge Cup final or whenever they had a big game, they played well. In Springbok games too, so it won't be easy. We don't think for one moment that it will be. They've beaten us twice this year and there is a reason for that.' 🔥 This iconic derby have given us some absolute stunners 🔥 This Saturday, they're back to battle for a place in the Grand Final 🏆 Grab your spot and get ready for more magic 🎟️👉 #URC | #BULvSHA — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 6, 2025 White says they expect it to be as tough as it can be, and they will have to play as well as they can to get the desired outcome. He added that he told his players it would be like (Bok) trials for them on Saturday, but he doesn't want them to play like it is trials. White wants a team effort from his side. 'They know this is an opportunity in front of the selectors and the public for them to stake a claim. Our job is to tell them it is not about the individual. I told them in the changeroom they have been picked (for the Boks) for what they've been doing for the last 18 weeks.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
TFG's robust earnings reflect strategic growth and online success
TFG's results for its 2025 financial year underscored a focus on market share growth, margin improvement and cost management, said its CEO, Anthony Thunström Image: Supplied JSE-listed international fashion, homeware and lifestyle retailer TFG's robust financial results for the year to end-March 2025 were fueled by a strong second half from TFG Africa, store expansion, and the acquisition of White Stuff in the UK. Headline earnings a share (HEPS) were up 4.6% to 1015.6 cents. The final dividend was raised by 15% to 230 cents a share. 'The result underscored a 'relentless' focus on market share growth, margin improvement, and cost management,' CEO Anthony Thunström said in a statement. The group has a portfolio of 39 leading retail brands, with over 4 900 outlets in 23 countries on five continents. 'We are targeting the opening of over 100 new stores in the coming year while optimising our existing footprint. With the Riverfields distribution centre now close to fully operational—alongside our other growth and efficiency strategies—we expect continued improvement in operating margins and capital returns in 2026 and beyond,' said Thunström. The Africa business led the charge in the past year with "exceptional" results in the second half. Online sales surged, driven by the success of the Bash platform, which had reached profitability two years ahead of schedule: 'a very likely unique achievement in the South African retail space,' said Thunström. Gross margins expanded by 150 basis points. These gains, along with disciplined cost management across divisions, translated into solid profit growth. Online sales maintained momentum and accounted for 12% of group sales, up from 9.9% the previous year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading TFG Africa's sales were up 7% in the second half as the base normalised from the prior year's first half's clearance activity. All brands and categories showed improvement, generating full-year growth of 3.7%. Thunström said there was strong growth ahead of the market from womenswear, beauty, and jewellery, as well as recently acquired businesses, Jet and Tapestry, where the retail platform provided credit, online, and distribution capabilities. Online sales grew 43.5% and contributed 5.8% (2024: 4.2%) to total TFG Africa sales. TFG UK increased sales 16.4% in pounds following the acquisition of White Stuff from October 25, 2024. White Stuff saw 20.3% year-on-year growth for the five months post-acquisition. The addition of White Stuff to the portfolio saw store sales up 11.8% and online sales grow 22.5%. Online sales now contribute 44.8% (42.7%) of total TFG UK sales. TFG Australia faced difficult trading conditions, with sustained high inflation and interest rates impacting the consumer. Sales were 2.6% lower in Australian dollars, with a mixed performance throughout the second half in a 'highly promotional market,' Thunström said. Online sales grew by 7.3% and now contribute 8.1% (7.3%) to total TFG Australia sales.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Plumtree confident Sharks can beat Bulls in URC semi-final without Eben Etzebeth
SHARKS lock Corne Rahl has some big shoes to fill with Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth out injured for the URC semi-final at Loftus. | BackpagePix Sharks coach John Plumtree reckons his blood pressure has only recently returned to normal after the drama of a penalty shoot-out with Munster last week, and the early week injury to Eben Etzebeth won't have helped his stress levels. That said, Plumtree was calm and philosophical when he spoke to the media about his team's chances of upsetting the Bulls in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semi-final at Loftus Versfeld. Etzebeth has been replaced by youngster Corne Rahl while Emile van Heerden comes in for another injured Springbok in Jason Jenkins. Apart from that double blow in the second row, Plumtree has picked the same starting 15 that won the quarter-final. Plumtree said the loss of his first-choice locks was a setback but stressed that rugby is a team sport. 'How much of a loss is Eben? He is probably the best lock in the world, so it's a big loss, but the thing is it's a team game; one person doesn't make this team and we've won games without him this year,' Plumtree said. 'He got a head knock at training,' explained Plumtree. 'We decided that it's best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call. 'He's feeling a lot better by the way, he's been communicating with me and the team, and I'm not overly concerned about it. I'm pretty sure that if we go through, he'll be available next week.' Plumtree admitted that the injury to the in-form Jenkins had also been keenly felt. 'Jason is a big loss for us, too. He played a pivotal role for us, with Eben being out for so much; he's played at four, and he's played at five,' Plumtree added. 'It's really disappointing not to see him in the Springbok squad at the moment as well. I think he deserves to be there.' Etzebeth's replacement, Rahl, is hardly a lightweight. The blond-haired giant is 2.03m and weighs 122kg. Importantly, the 22-year-old has been under Etzebeth's wing for two years and would have learned plenty from the best in the business. The other incoming lock, Van Heerden, is no slouch and has the pedigree of being the son of former Springbok lock Fritz van Heerden. He, in any case, played most of last week's game after Jenkins went off injured. 'Corne is a different player to Emile, in so many ways. Corne's more abrasive, and Emile's the ball winner, and a smart player, and is developing good leadership as well,' Plumtree explained. 'We've got full backing of the boys, and the boys are really pleased they've got this opportunity.' As Plumtree says, his team have won important games this season without the likes of Etzebeth. In fact, the Sharks have yet to field a full-strength side against the Bulls this season, and they are yet to lose to the Pretoria team. They have got over the line in their last three outings against the Bulls, and Etzebeth did not play in those games. Plumtree said that the harrowing, 100-minute quarter-final meant the players had to take it easy this week, and the preparation has been more mental. 'With big games like this, it's often your easiest week as a coach. The players are all excited about the opportunity. 'We had to lighten the load a lot in training based on what happened last weekend, but they're feeling good.' Plumtree said his forwards are excited about going up against the much-vaunted Bulls pack. 'It's not just about who gets front-foot ball but also the psychological battle, and that's what it's all about, these big contests. The Bulls are not just a scrummaging team, they're a good set-piece team, particularly at Loftus,' Plumtree said. 'These are big derby games, aren't they? The Sharks-Bulls game at Loftus, everyone in Durban will be watching this game of rugby because it's based on the contests there have been over the years, and there have been some great contests.' Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.
