The South Africa Rugby Union, the sport’s national governing body, has agreed a five-year extension to its long-running partnership with South African Breweries.
The new contract, running from 2016 to 2020, extends the association of SAB’s Castle Lager brand with rugby to 23 years. Castle Lager will remain title sponsor of the incoming series – this year featuring a three-Test series against Ireland in June – as well as of the Rugby Championship national team competition in South Africa and the national team’s overseas tours, which traditionally take place in November. Castle Lager is also an associate sponsor of the Super Rugby club competition.
“SAB has been a loyal partner to SA Rugby dating back to the days when rugby was an amateur sport, so it gives me great pleasure to continue our association with them,” Jurie Roux, chief executive of SARU, said.
“SAB, through its various brands, has promoted nation-building in sport, and particularly in rugby – something we feel equally strongly about, and rugby has delivered in sporting highlights since democracy came to South Africa.”
SAB’s founding brand, Castle Lager, began its association with SA Rugby and the national team in 1997 when it took over from another SAB brand, Lion Lager.